Erling Haaland has no relegation release clause in his Manchester City contract, according to Spanish outlet Sport, meaning potential suitors would still face paying a premium for the Norwegian striker even if the club are relegated.
The revelation comes after Manchester City were found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges levelled against them by the Premier League. The verdict has sparked speculation about a possible mass exodus at the Etihad Stadium, particularly if City are expelled from the Premier League altogether. Haaland, one of the most lethal strikers in world football, would have no shortage of top clubs queuing up for his signature in that scenario.
Contract details
Relegation release clauses typically allow players to leave their clubs for a heavily reduced price if they suffer relegation. However, in Haaland's case, the prospect of a cut-price deal appears slim.
Last year, the striker signed an extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, keeping him there until the summer of 2024. It was rumoured that his previous contract had a clause that would have allowed him to join Real Madrid for a set price, but this was believed to have been wide of the mark, and there is definitely no such clause in his current deal.
Likely punishment
In all likelihood, Haaland's future will depend on any punishment handed down to City. If their guilty verdict is upheld, they could be fined, docked points, or even kicked out of the Premier League altogether.
Dan Plumley, a football finance specialist and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, believes a significant points deduction would be the most likely scenario. Although this would see City avoid being expelled from the Premier League automatically, they could still be relegated if the deduction is sufficiently large.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Plumley said: "It is really difficult to predict what any outcome could be, as there is no precedent. We will always be in the realms of speculation until we know.
"But if I were to speculate, I would suggest that a points deduction and fine would be most likely, with relegation and title stripping being the extreme, but unlikely, scenarios."
Appeal timescale
When pressed on a potential timescale for an appeal, Plumley added: "It is tricky to tell on timeframe linked to appeal as it could keep going on and on. It depends on what the verdict is and then what either side would do next.
"But both parties have the right to appeal, and we have certainly already heard noises from City in the past that they would look to appeal and tie the Premier League up in litigation.
"These things are never straightforward, and you are dealing with power and egos too in the middle of this, which cannot be ignored."
