Haaland is learning Spanish but Man City say it’s nothing to do with Real Madrid

Erling Haaland is learning how to speak Spanish - but it has nothing to do with any transfer links to Real Madrid, Manchester City insist.

Instead, they say that the Norway international is simply looking to be able to communicate with Pep Guardiola better. However, it will do little to quell fears that a transfer to the Bernabeu is on the horizon.

It is no secret that Haaland covets a Madrid move at some point in his career and, despite joining City this summer, his father Alfie has already admitted their thoughts on leaving amid interest from the European juggernauts.

It might be a worry, therefore, that Haaland is learning to speak Spanish already. But according to Diario AS, via social media, it has been put down to the fact that the striker wants to be able to communicate with Guardiola better.

Just weeks after signing for City, Haaland's father otulined a plan for his son to leave. Included in the striker's contract are two separate release clauses - one in 2024 and another in 2025 - which become cheaper as time goes on.

Speaking on the documentary 'Haaland: The Big Decision', Alf-Inge, who also played for City, said: "I think Erling wants to prove his abilities in all leagues. Then he can stay there [Manchester City] for three or four years at the most.

"He could be, for example, two-and-a-half years in Germany, two-and-a-half years in England and then in Spain, Italy, France, right?"

Meanwhile, Guardiola has insisted that he would have preferred if Haaland was at the World Cup this winter instead of sitting at home. Norway failed to qualify for the tournament, meaning that the 22-year-old will have a prolonged rest while many other Premier League stars will be battling the heat in Qatar.

Guardiola said: “I would prefer for Erling to go with Norway, unfortunately they did not qualify. Hopefully he will recover perfectly from his injury, then [on holiday to] Marbella for a few days, maybe go to Norway and then come back when we come back to training.