Pep Guardiola has told Real Madrid they need to give Manchester City a call put in a proposal for Erling Haaland in the event that they wish to sign him.
It has been reported in Spain that Haaland wants to depart Manchester City as he dislikes life in the town.
Perhaps inevitably, it was suggested Real Madrid were monitoring the prolific Norway striker’s situation.
The suspicion at City is that this might have been an attempt by Madrid-leaning media to unsettle the 23-year-old and edge him towards the Bernabeu Stadium.
The City boss previously shrugged off rumours about Haaland being unsettled but now set a challenge to any potential suitors like Real Madrid.
Guardiola said: “For one report, for one journalist or one Twitter account, one Instagram account, do you’re thinking that they will change something that’s going to occur? It isn’t going to occur.
READ MORE ON ERLING HAALAND
“It will occur when Erling decides to increase the contract or not, when the club decides to increase a contract or not, or when we’ve potential offers to him or not.
“If someone wants Erling, it is simple. Call Man City and ask. It’s what we do when we would like to sign someone. It isn’t more complicated than that.”
If Guardiola has his way, the reply to any enquiry can be a firm no.
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Haaland scored 52 goals in a surprising first season on the Etihad Stadium and had already netted 19 this term before being sidelined by a foot injury early in December.
Guardiola said: “What do you’re thinking that? That we don’t desire Erling to remain here for one decade?
“We would like him – for a protracted, very long time at this club. For a very long time. We’re in love with him, we would like him.”
Yet Guardiola admits he doesn’t know what the longer term will bring.
He said: “I haven’t got info. He arrived last season and the impact was incredible. The start of this season, the numbers were really good too. He’s had two months injured.
“What happens in the longer term? Truthfully, I do not know. We’re joyful to have him, hopefully he’s joyful to be with us. That’s what we all know. And the remaining? I do not know.”
Guardiola insists he ignores transfer rumours but concedes having players linked with big clubs will be flattering.
He said: “It’s normal that Real Madrid want the very best players, and Barcelona want the very best players, or (clubs) in Italy, or PSG want the very best players.
“We would like the very best players and United want the very best players, and Liverpool and Arsenal and everybody. It’s normal, it is not a surprise.
“A link like that’s an honour for us. It signifies that we did a very good job, and particularly Erling. In his case he made an incredible job.
“Is it true? I do not know. It’s simply to make a bit of little bit of noise. It’s superb. In fact I ignore it. It doesn’t trouble me in any respect.
“So long as the players are focused on what they must do, the remaining shouldn’t be necessary.”
