Erling Haaland said the accusations facing Manchester City had no impact on him signing a huge new nine-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
The Norwegian striker has signed a deal that will keep him at the Etihad until 2034, making him one of the sport's highest-paid players.
City are awaiting the outcome of a disciplinary hearing into 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, which could lead to points deductions and even relegation.
Asked if the hearing had any impact on signing his new contract, Haaland said: “No, I didn’t think about that or anything.
He added: “I'm confident that the club knows what it's doing and I don't really think I should talk too much about this.”
City are alleged to have breached the Premier League's financial rules between 2009 and 2018. City vehemently denies all accusations, and the private hearing will be held between September and December.
@Man City 🩵 pic.twitter.com/FpNtWcID23
– Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) January 19, 2025
Long-term deal 'really good sign'
The 24-year-old has scored 112 goals in 127 games since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Haaland's new contract is the longest in Premier League history, surpassing the nine-year deal Cole Palmer penned last summer.
“It's a really good sign,” Haaland added. “Of course it's a bit unusual, it's not normal and that's also something I like.
“It felt good for both parties, and in the end it was an easy choice.”
Before joining City in 2022, Haaland's father, Alfie, said the striker would like to play in all the major European leagues during his career having played in the Bundesliga and the English Premier League so far.
When he learned of his father's comments, Haaland said: “These are his words, not mine.”
“I think when I signed for City it felt like home. I really meant it.
“I feel very happy, my family is very happy. In the end, this is what I wanted. The people I spoke to made me convinced that this was the right choice.
“In the end, when I spoke to people we got to this and I felt really good. I'm really looking forward to spending more years in Manchester, it will be great.”
“I feel like there's a really positive energy at the club. It's been a tough period, everyone knows that. We've trained really well, we've got through that now and we're looking forward, looking forward to tomorrow.”
Haaland is not thinking about Real Madrid
Haaland has been linked with Real Madrid throughout his career, and was asked if he “regrets” that his new deal will make a move to the Bernabéu more difficult.
“I just signed a nine-year contract, what do you want me to say?” Haaland responded.
“Of course I am happy. I am very happy with my choice and I look forward to many years in Manchester.
