MANCHESTER CITY will now step up their efforts to convince Erling Haaland to follow Pep Guardiola in signing a new contract.
The Prem champions hope boss Guardiola's decision to stay on for at least another year can see superstar Haaland agree a mega £100million package.
Guardiola has said yes in principle to a new twelve-month contract, with the option to extend until the summer of 2027.
It is believed that the Catalan's new contract will not contain any release clauses if City are found guilty of the Prem's 115 charges for alleged breaches of financial rules and are relegated as a result.
The Norwegian striker – who has already scored 105 goals for City – has been linked with Barcelona.
Haaland, 24, joined in 2022 and has two-and-a-half years left on a deal worth £375,000-a-week, excluding bonuses. His weekly wages mean he will bank more than £20million per season.
Any extension would see Haaland stay at City for another four or five years – which would earn him around £100m without even taking bonuses into account.
Guardiola and Etihad chiefs would like him to entrust his long-term future to them.
And while in charge of Norway last week, Haaland said: “I hope Pep signs a new contract. He was important to me during the first two and a half years.
“I hope he stays longer. I like Pep a lot and I hope he likes me too.”
FOOTBALL FREE BETTS AND SIGN UP DEALS
City have a big call to sign talisman Kevin De Bruyne, who is out of contract this summer.
The Belgian midfielder, 33, has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.
He will be free to open talks with foreign clubs in January and may have to accept a reduced role and lower wages if he decides to stay at Etihad for more than a decade.
Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who will attend City's match against Tottenham on Saturday, is also likely to be offered a new contract.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has not included a release clause in his contract if City are relegated to the Premier League next year.
A hearing into the 115 alleged breaches of financial rules is currently underway, with a ruling expected sometime in the spring.
If City are found guilty, they are expected to receive a huge points penalty, potentially losing them their top-flight status.
But Pep has said he would like to stay and begin the march back to the top. He even joked that he would love to play against club legends Paul Dickov and Mike Summerbee up front.
The dates of his contract – believed to be worth around £20m per season – will certainly be of interest to FA top brass.
They approached Pep in the summer to succeed Gareth Southgate, but he told them he would not break the contract with his employers.
Now he has a release clause in the summer of 2026, when Thomas Tuchel's first 18-month contract as England boss expires.
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