ERLING HAALAND reportedly does NOT have a relegation release clause in his mammoth Manchester City contract.
The bombshell detail has emerged after City were reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges relating to alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.
Sanctions have not yet been determined and the champions are expected to appeal, with the process still ongoing.
Possible punishments could include a huge fine or points deduction, while relegation and the stripping of titles have also been discussed as potential outcomes.
And any demotion from the Premier League would raise major questions over the futures of City’s superstar squad.
However, Spanish outlet Sport claims Haaland does NOT have a clause allowing him to automatically leave the Etihad if City are relegated.
The Norwegian goal machine signed an extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025 tying him to City until 2034.
The staggering deal is reportedly worth £260million, with Haaland believed to earn a basic salary of around £500,000 per week.
That could leave City in a powerful negotiating position over their star striker even in the event of relegation, although the prospect of playing outside the Premier League could spark a battle to keep their biggest names.
City’s charges concern alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, a period in which the club won three Premier League titles.
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They were charged in February 2023 following a four-year investigation that began after German publication Der Spiegel published leaked financial documents in 2018.
The allegations included 54 breaches concerning the provision of accurate financial information and 35 relating to City’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation.
Another 14 concerned details of manager and player remuneration, while City were also charged over alleged breaches of Profitability and Sustainability Rules and Uefa regulations.
Several Premier League clubs are now reportedly considering taking legal advice over possible compensation claims following the reported verdict.
City have consistently denied wrongdoing and previously insisted they possess a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” supporting their position.
Responding to Friday’s developments, a City spokesperson said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.
“As such, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023.
“The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
While chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “There are many who want to undermine the momentum of our club. We will not give them that opportunity.”