9 months ago
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has rubbished speculation that Erling Haaland is unhappy and looking for a transfer away from the club in the summer.
Reports in Spain had suggested that the Norwegian had grown unhappy with life in Manchester and was seeking a move abroad, with Real Madrid said to be his dream location.
Haaland – who broke the Premier League goalscoring for a single season last term – has just returned to full fitness following a two-month layoff with a foot injury and Guardiola is confident the striker is not going anywhere anytime soon.
‘You have to ask the media from Madrid if he is unhappy. Maybe they have more info than we have,’ the Spaniard joked.
‘We don’t have that feeling that he’s unhappy. He was because he could not play – he was two months out injured – but maybe the media from Spain, especially Madrid, have more information than us.
‘We cannot say he didn’t adapt quickly and he was not fine since he arrived – it’s just the level he’s shown since day one.
‘We cannot control what people say but the important thing is he’s happy. When he’s unhappy, he will take his decision.’
Haaland returned to the Manchester City matchday squad for their midweek game against Burnley, coming off the bench for a 20-minute cameo in the second half.
When asked if the forward would be ready to start on Monday against Brentford, Guardiola said: ‘Yes, he’s ready. Everyone is ready right now because they are not injured as much. If they are on the bench, they are ready.’
In his absence, Julian Alvarez led the line, notching up a brace as City coasted to a 3-1 win to make it eight consecutive victories on the bounce in all competitions.
Guardiola’s side now travel down to London as they look to keep pace with Liverpool at the top of the table.
Brentford, meanwhile, achieved a rare Premier League double against City last season and could become the first team since Liverpool during the 2015-16 campaign to win three in a row against the seven-time league winners.
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