19 April 2023 , 12:30
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Manchester City are preparing to open talks with Erling Haaland over a new contract in a bid to end speculation over the prolific striker's future once and for all.
The Premier League champions snapped up Haaland in a £51million deal back in the summer after fighting off interest from a host of Europe's elite once it became clear that the Norwegian international was ready to move on from Borussia Dortmund.
To say that the 22-year-old has adapted seamlessly to life in England would be an understatement: Haaland has plundered 47 goals in just 40 games and is already just one strike away from eclipsing the record for most goals in a 38-game Premier League season (32).
But even though Haaland is only just getting started at the Etihad, his remarkable form has led to intense speculation over his long-term future - an issue that plagued Borussia Dortmund during the final months of his time in Germany.
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl previously told German publication Sport Bild: "As much as we always loved Haaland and he was successful with us, in the end, he became a burden on the dressing room, the club and the whole environment.
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"He had become the subject of every conversation. Outside the club, almost everything was exclusively focused on him. In the end, the timing of the transfer was right for both parties. And we are all happy for Erling that he continues to be so successful."
Manchester City have now taken the first steps to avoid a repeat of that issue by opening dialogue with Haaland's representatives over a new, improved contract, according to The Athletic.
Join the debate! Do you think Man City will be able to keep Haaland long-term? Let us know here.
Manchester City want to discuss a new contract with Erling Haaland (Jon Hobley/NurPhoto)They also claim that a release clause that had previously been written into Haaland's initial contract which would have enabled him to leave City in 2024 for £150million has been removed after Pep Guardiola committed his own future to the club until the summer of 2025 back in November.
There is a 'belief' within the club that Haaland is open to talks over a new deal which would potentially tie him to City beyond the contract he initially penned back in June.
Although Haaland's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, stoked speculation as recently as last month by admitting that she was always plotting her clients' future moves and touting Real Madrid as a "dream" destination for any player, Haaland is believed to be happy at Manchester City, who can advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Guardiola's side face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena with a 3-0 aggregate lead over the German giants with a place in the final four of Europe's elite competition on the line.