Pep Guardiola shares why Erling Haaland has been unhappy amid Real Madrid links
Pep Guardiola insists Erling Haaland is happy at Manchester City – despite Real Madrid's efforts to unsettle the prolific goalscorer.
Reports from Spain suggested Haaland was ready to leave City this summer, with Real said to be ready to pay the striker's estimated release clause of £170million. According to the reports, Haaland is keen to link up with friend and former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Jude Bellingham, and also feels Madrid would give him a better quality of life.
Asked if he felt the rumours from Spain were a direct attempt to turn Haaland's head, Guardiola said: “I don't know, you have to ask the media from Madrid.
“Maybe they have more information than we have. I don’t - we don't - have that feeling that he’s unhappy.]
“He was [unhappy] because he could not play for two months because he was injured, but maybe the media from Spain - and especially Madrid - have more information than us.
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“We cannot say he didn’t adapt quickly and he was not fine since he arrived - just the level he showed since he arrived on day one. But we cannot control what people say. What’s important is that he's happy. And when he's unhappy, he will make his decision.”
City travel to Brentford on Monday night, with Haaland expected to make his first start for two months, having made his return as a sub in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Burnley. Haaland, who has 19 goals for City this season, despite missing 10 games with a stress fracture of the foot, signed from Dortmund for a fee of £51m in 2022.
Pep Guardiola is confident Erling Haaland is happy at Man City (Catherine Ivill)He will be joined by defender Manuel Akanji, meaning Guardiola has a full selection of players available for the FIRST time all season. "It's really important. Manu is back as well so we have everyone," he added.
"The busy period is ahead of us with the Champions League around the corner and many games so it is good to have everyone."
John Stones was a welcome returnee against Tottenham in the FA Cup and will continue to ramp up after an extended absence. Guardiola said: "His injury wasn't muscular and the risk to the ankle is minor and he was good.
"He still needs to make steps forward, he's not the John Stones from last season but he had many injuries so now step by step he can avoid injuries."
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