Manchester City are considering legal action after a candidate in Real Madrid's presidential election publicly claimed the club would sign striker Erling Haaland.

Enrique Riquelme — a renewable energy magnate challenging incumbent president Florentino Perez for the role — appeared on Spanish television on Wednesday and held up a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland's name. "He has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid," Riquelme declared.

The claim was swiftly dismissed by those closest to the player. Haaland's father and agent released a joint statement denying any such agreement, while City moved quickly to rubbish the reports entirely.

"The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue," City's statement read. "There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it."

The club went further, signalling a potential legal response over the use of their player's image. "We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context," the statement added.