Erling Haaland 'happy' at Manchester City despite Real Madrid links ahead of UEFA Champions League last 16

Erling Haaland has played down rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid, insisting that he is very happy at Manchester City.

The Blues hitman is in his second season at the Etihad, having scored 52 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign and helping the club to a historic treble.

This year, despite a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Norwegian has 28 goals as City look to repeat their feat from last season. However, there have been suggestions that La Liga giants Madrid will look to prise him away from Manchester either this summer or next.

Speaking ahead of City’s Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash with FC Copenhagen, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Haaland remained coy on his future.

"I am really happy,” he said in the press conference. “Especially with the people that I am surrounded with: the manager, the directors, the board. I am really happy.

“If I say this now it will probably be a massive headline: you never know what the future brings but I am happy."

When asked about the possibility of extending his stay at the club, Haaland refused be drawn on any possible immediate contract talks.

"I focus on the pitch, there is a lot of games. I think I should focus on that," he said.

His manager, Pep Guardiola, who was also with him in the press conference, praised the 22-year-old’s impact since joining the club, and expressed how happy he was that Haaland was able to settle so quickly following his move from Borussia Dortmund.

"Erling, it was so quick," he said. “The guys really embrace the new ones, but the new ones have to do the step depending on who they are. He was smiling.

“What impressed the most on the pitch was his character. The bigger star they are, the more humble they are.

“I don't know why but it happened at Barcelona. Normally the big ones understand better."

City go into the match with a 3-1 lead from the first leg as they look to defend the trophy they lifted for the first time last season.

Haaland was adamant that having already won the trophy, there would be no complacency in the way he approaches the competition this year.

The striker sent a message to the rest of the teams in the competition that he is hungry for more Champions League glory this time around.

"You can think about it in two ways,” he said. “One thing, I came here and won it. The other thing, I am 23, I have a taste of winning. When I feel this, I want to win it again."

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