If one has the resources to sign a footballer who is as effective as Erling Haaland for a decade, then there will always be strong arguments to do so – whatever choppy waters Manchester City might face in their immediate future.

Erling Haaland signed a nine-and-a-half-year deal to stay at Manchester City until 2034. The new agreement removed the release clauses of his previous arrangement and pours cold water on him one day leaving to join Real Madrid, at least for the time being.

City announced the deal — covering 10 years from the start of this season — on Friday for the 24-year-old Haaland, who has scored 111 goals in 125 games since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.