Erling Haaland has reiterated his happiness at Manchester City, but he is currently not focused on signing a contract extension amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
Since joining the Citizens from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022, the Norwegian striker has scored a remarkable 80 goals in 84 appearances across all competitions, breaking a plethora of goalscoring records in the process.
Haaland has found the net 28 times in 31 matches so far this season, most recently following up a five-goal haul in a 6-2 FA Cup win over Luton Town last week with a strike in City's 3-1 derby triumph over Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Although the 23-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football, has not yet completed two full seasons at Man City, he continues to be linked with a big-money move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who are known to be in the market for a new attacker this summer.
Recent reports have suggested that the Citizens have plans to extend Haaland's contract at the Etihad beyond the summer of 2027 when his current deal is due to expire.
© Reuters
It has also been claimed that Man City are keen to increase the release clause in Haaland's current contract in a bid to strengthen their chances of keeping hold of their star striker.
Haaland has since addressed the media about his future, insisting that he remains "really happy" at Man City, although talks over a new contract are not at the forefront of his mind amid the club's busy fixture schedule.
"I'm really happy, especially with the people that I'm surrounded by. The manager, the directors, the board are a group of amazing people and I'm really happy," Haaland told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Man City's Champions League last-16 second-leg tie with Copenhagen.
"If I say this now, it is probably going to be a massive headline... tomorrow you never know what the future brings, but I'm happy and you can write this but you also have to write everything I said right before.
"My focus mainly now is on the pitch. There are a lot of games. Two days ago there was the Manchester derby, now it is the Champions League and then on Sunday against Liverpool. I think I should focus on that, I don't think I should focus on anything else at the moment."
© Reuters
Asked about his motivation to continue winning trophies at Man City, Haaland added: "You can think about it in two ways, one thing I came here and won it. The other thing, I am 23, I have a taste of winning. When I feel this I want to win it again."
Manager Pep Guardiola has been impressed by how quickly that Haaland has adapted to life in England and at Man City, saying: "Erling it was so quick. The guys really embrace the new ones (teammates), but the news ones have to do the step depending on who they are. He was smiling.
"What impressed the most on the pitch was his character. The bigger star they are the more humble they are. I don't know why but it happened at Barcelona. Normally the big ones understand better."
Haaland is currently the top scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals and also leads the scoring charts in the Champions League with five strikes, level with four other players.
City's No.9 scored a brace in a 5-0 victory the last time that Guardiola's side welcomed Copenhagen to the Etihad in October 2022, and he will be hoping to add to his tally on Wednesday as the Citizens look to secure their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Oliver Thomas
