Manchester City’s contract proposal to Erling Haaland was “privately criticized” by a European rival, it has been claimed.
In the summer of 2022, City completed the signing of Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, activating his £51million release clause.
The Norwegian penned a five-year deal, which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2027. As per The Athletic, the exact details of Haaland’s contract are closely guarded, though it includes several clauses that will kick in in future years.
Since signing, Haaland has thrived at City, having scored 74 goals in his 81 appearances, including a club-record 52-goal haul in his first season, while he has become the envy of Europe’s biggest clubs.
According to the Athletic, however, City’s initial contract offer to Haaland was one Bayern Munich were happy to criticize in private, with the Bundesliga giants having also expressed an interest in the player.
But Bayern’s loss was City’s gain, with Haaland not only having become the club’s talisman on the pitch but also an influential figure away from the field.
“What he’s achieved is crazy, right? He’s only three years older than me, same country, everything. Yes, he’s an inspiration,” said teammate Oscar Bobb (via Manchester Evening News) after City’s win over Brentford, in which Haaland netted the game’s only goal.
“We’re pretty close in age and from the same place. He helps me a lot. I think it’s natural.
“I think when you’re as known for your finishing as he is – everyone knows how good of a finisher he is. As long as he gets in those situations, whether he misses or scores, such a clinical finish, if he misses a few one game it’s not like he’s going to start missing all his chances.
“So there’s no real worries. I mean, when you have the quality he has, it is just about getting to the right spots. I don’t think there’s anyone better one-on-one with the keeper in the world.”