Real Madrid set to face further Manchester City disappointment as ‘confidence’ emerges at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City could inflict further disappointment on Real Madrid just weeks after their Champions League semi-final triumph, this time through the future of one first-team star.

Pep Guardiola and his players comfortably progressed into the final of Europe’s premier club competition last month after a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu was followed by a 4-0 win for the hosts at the Etihad Stadium a week later.

That outcome forced the La Liga side into an urgent review of their summer transfer planning, and booked Manchester City a place in the final of the UEFA Champions League, where they will face Inter in Istanbul on Saturday night.

Now, in what will undoubtedly come as a further crushing setback to the Spanish giants, a new report has detailed a growing feeling of confidence within the Etihad Stadium over the extension of Erling Haaland’s Manchester City contract.

The Norwegian international striker has long been admired by transfer bosses at Real Madrid, with Los Blancos pushing City all the way in the hunt for Haaland’s signature during the 2021/22 season, with the Premier League side ultimately coming out on top.

According to the information of Mike McGrath and James Ducker of The Telegraph, Manchester City’s hunt for a historic treble this season has increased hopes of Erling Haaland committing to a longer deal at the club this summer.

It is further explained that there is now a feeling of confidence within Manchester City that an extension of Haaland’s contract has a ‘strong chance’ of being agreed, given the player’s happiness at the football club.

The 22 year-old claimed his second trophy of his Manchester City career on Saturday afternoon, after Pep Guardiola’s side battled past bitter rivals United at Wembley Stadium to emerge victorious in the Emirates FA Cup final.

That result at the national stadium in London followed yet another success in the Premier League, as City won their third successive English top-flight title, and their fifth in six years under Pep Guardiola.

Erling Haaland has played a huge role in City’s success across all competitions this season, while his efforts have been rewarded in the form of individual accolades such as the Premier League’s Player and Young Player of the Season awards, as well as the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year title.

But with one game to go, Haaland remains fully-focussed, and recently stressed his desire to win Manchester City their first ever UEFA Champions League title, as they take on Inter in Turkey this weekend.

Speaking during a recent interview, the Norway international said of the Champions League, “It would mean everything (to win it). I will do everything I possibly can to try to make it happen. It’s my biggest dream and hopefully dreams do come true. But as well it’s not easy.”