There are reports that Erling Haaland has a Manchester City exit clause that will take effect in 2024, and his agent Rafaela Pimenta has spoken about his future.
Rafaela Pimenta, Erling Haaland’s agent, refused to say whether the striker has an exit clause in his Manchester City contract, but admitted she would have to say “yes” to Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
Barcelona manager Xavi led a club delegation that flew to Germany a year ago to meet with the striker as the Blaugrana considered a move for Haaland. In December 2021, the Catalan club met with Mino Raiola, who had represented Haaland before his death last year.
The Norwegian striker, who later joined City, fueled speculation of a move to LaLiga in January last year when he stated his desire to play in Spain throughout his career. The battle for his signature between Real Madrid and Barcelona was described as a war between the clubs.
“There is no footballer who has said no to Barca since I came here,” Xavi said, refusing to rule out a future move for Haaland in 2022. When asked if he had met the striker, he replied: “I am unable to provide specifics. The only thing I can say about Haaland is that we are currently and in the future working for Barcelona.”
Pimenta, who previously worked at Raiola’s agency, now represents Haaland. She spoke candidly about the forward in an interview with Diario AS, and her remarks may raise concerns at Man City about the striker’s long-term future.
Pimienta, who is also a lawyer, repeatedly refused to answer whether the striker had a release clause in his City contract that would kick in in 2024. Haaland’s Dortmund contract included a similar clause that allowed him to leave for €75 million.
“It’s difficult to respond,” Pimienta explained. “I prefer not to say anything,” she said, because “misunderstandings” were too easy. When pressed on the matter, she refused to elaborate, only saying that she did not want to provide any additional information.
“Today he is happy at City,” she said when asked if Haaland would play in Spain. “We’ll have to think about it tomorrow. It is not beneficial for a footballer to play one season while planning for the next.”
She went on to say: “This is equivalent to thinking about your next wife the day you get married! Haaland is now married. However, if he wishes to leave, I must provide the key.” If he wants to leave, he can.
If he wants to leave, he can. When asked if Haaland could join Real Madrid, she said, “I cannot talk about this, I am a lawyer.” When asked about her own working relationship with Barcelona, she was prepared to provide a more detailed response.
“I have a good relationship with (Barca president) Joan Laporta,” she admitted. “I always say that Laporta can’t ask me for anything in football because he knows I’ll say ‘yes!'”
Opening up on what Haaland’s market value is currently, Pimienta explained: “For me, Haaland is worth €1,000million (€1bn). Maybe no one will pay that, but it is the potential he has when he walks into a club.
For Man City, Haaland has already scored 31 goals.
“With him come fans, goals, results, professionalism, digital content, notoriety, sponsors… if you put all this together, his value is an aggregate of many things. However, the price of a footballer is set by the club.
“I understand that no one is going to pay €700 million for a player, but I am confident that the value Erling brings to a club is enormous, at least €1,000 million.”
Haaland has scored 31 goals in 27 appearances for City this season after scoring 86 goals in 89 games for Borussia Dortmund.
