---
title: "Man City: Spanish media accuse Pep Guardiola of lying"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-pep-guardiola-lying-erling-haaland-release-clause-real-madrid-transfer-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Manchester City News"
published: "2022-10-09T19:50:48Z"
modified: "2022-10-09T19:50:48Z"
---

# Man City: Spanish media accuse Pep Guardiola of lying

**Spanish news outlet AS have accused [Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/) manager Pep Guardiola of lying after he denied the rumoured release clause in Erling Haaland’s contract, as shared by Sport Witness.**

### **The Lowdown: Guardiola’s denial**

[Reports in Spain](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12713311/erling-haaland-man-city-boss-pep-guardiola-insists-there-is-no-release-clause-in-norwegian-strikers-contract) have suggested the 22-year-old striker has a Real Madrid-specific release clause in his contract. This would reportedly mean the Norway international would be able to join the La Liga giants in 2024 for a fixed fee.

However, Guardiola has since spoken of these rumours, insisting such a release clause does not exist. As quoted by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12713311/erling-haaland-man-city-boss-pep-guardiola-insists-there-is-no-release-clause-in-norwegian-strikers-contract), the Catalan proclaimed:

“It is not true. He has not got a release clause for Real Madrid or any other team.

“It is not true, that is all I can say.”

### **The Latest: Haaland does have a release clause?**

Despite Guardiola’s comments, Spanish news outlet [AS](https://as.com/) have claimed the Sky Blues manager is lying to the public about Haaland’s contract (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/guardiola-accused-misleading-man-city-press-conference-insistence-signed-sealed-clause-place/)).

They [insist](https://sportwitness.co.uk/guardiola-accused-misleading-man-city-press-conference-insistence-signed-sealed-clause-place/) the striker has a £158m Real Madrid release clause in his City contract, despite the Premier League club’s frequent denial.

The hierarchy at the Bernabeu are [said](https://sportwitness.co.uk/guardiola-accused-misleading-man-city-press-conference-insistence-signed-sealed-clause-place/) to be showing ‘little concern’ about the Spaniard’s comments to the media, as they have received word, via third parties, that the £158m clause has been signed off in the deal.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410621″\]

### **The Verdict: Would be a huge loss**

Since arriving at the Etihad this summer, Haaland has bagged an incredible [15 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/erling-haaland/leistungsdaten/spieler/418560) in his opening nine [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) games, having also [netted a further five](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/erling-haaland/leistungsdaten/spieler/418560) in three Champions League appearances.

Already nearing [Heung-Min Son’s and Mohamed Salah’s 23-goal](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/premier-league-top-goal-scorer-updated-golden-boot-ranking/1gng0xz39t2h01sqbl6yfkle14) Golden Boot winning tally last season, the former Borussia Dortmund man has blown all expectations out of the water since joining the Cityzens.

\[freshpress-poll id=”378261″\]

With Guardiola still in search of a Champions League trophy whilst in charge at City, his best opportunity will come with Haaland playing as his number nine.

Therefore, news of a possible move to Madrid in 2024 will come as a major scare to Sky Blues fans.