All football fans said the same thing after Manchester City confirmed that Erling Haaland had signed one of the biggest contracts in football history.
Haaland has signed a staggering nine-and-a-half-year deal to commit his future to the Premier League champions until at least 2034.
As reported by sport mailThe superstar striker will receive a pay rise to £400,000-a-week, while two release clauses in his previous tenures have not been reinserted, all but ending a future move to LaLiga.
Haaland, who joined City in a £51million deal three years ago, was believed to have one day planned to move to Spain, with long-time Real Madrid admirers, and is understood to have reiterated the idea to friends during the last two years.
But his new contract now covers the next 10 seasons and will potentially keep him at the Etihad until he is 34, signaling a seismic change in direction.
However, the extension comes even as City await the outcome of their hearing into their alleged financial misconduct, having been charged with 130 breaches of Premier League rules. They have also been charged with failing to cooperate with an investigation.
Erling Haaland has signed a surprising new nine and a half year contract with Manchester City
The striker has promised his future to the Club until 2034 and has earned a pay rise
The club was initially given 115 charges before 15 more were later added.
If City, who vehemently deny any wrongdoing, were found guilty, they could face devastating financial penalties, points deductions or even relegation.
The hearing concluded on December 6 and coach Pep Guardiola revealed last month that he expects the verdict to be announced in February.
But deflated social media users believe Haaland's eye-watering contract means City's off-field headache is now a foregone conclusion.
'Yes, they really got away with the 115 charges, didn't they?' said a user
Another posted: “Alexa, tell me how Manchester City came out with the 115 charges, without telling me they came out with the 115 charges…”
A third said: 'It confirms that the city knows they will receive no real punishment for the “115 charges” nonsense the rest of the PL have been using as an excuse to kowtow to them.
“There's no chance I would sign for that long if there was a chance of anything significant happening.”
Social media users believe the agreement means the city will not be punished for financial misconduct.
“City's signings and this new contract show me that the Premier League has absolutely cracked down on the charges,” said another account.
“There is no way City would do business like this if they were facing relegation or a substantial points deduction that would force them into relegation.”
'10 years of contract renewal, this surely means that those 115 charges were a sham and just a waste of time?' “It's absolutely hilarious how the crimes this institution commits every year just go under the desk,” another user wrote.
“The Premier League is simply Ligue 1 with high camera quality.”
A sixth user posted: “I hope people realize that the most important thing about Haaland's extension is that we are 100 percent over the 115 charges.”
“There is no chance of the club offering that contract, or of Haaland accepting it, if there was not a firm belief within the City Group that they will not be punished.”
“Manchester City must know something about the 115 charges or we wouldn't make any big signings or contract extensions,” added another. “He must not be guilty.”
Haaland has scored 111 goals in 126 games since joining from Borussia Dortmund for £51m and was an integral reason why City won the treble in 2023.
Haaland has scored 111 goals in 126 games since joining from Borussia Dortmund for £51m.
“I'm super happy, proud,” Haaland said. “I really want to stay here for a long time. Now I can fully concentrate on improving because I am going to be here for a long time. Full focus on performing and improving to give the fans what they want.
'In the end, speaking to the people I spoke to, the hunger and the support I've been getting over the last few years from the board, from the bosses and from Pep (Guardiola), it was an easy decision. I'm delighted.'
“It's a really welcoming club where they take care of you a lot,” Haaland continued: “I think that's also very important when you talk to people.” You really feel at home here and that's the first thing that surprises you.
“When I spoke to Pep, the best coach in the world, it was also fantastic to talk to him and train and play with him every day. To get his opinion on me and how I can become a better footballer and develop further.
'He is the best. Of course, you are here to win trophies, here to perform, here to give your best and give your best. “That's what you have to do here because you come here, people expect you to win trophies and that's why you're here.”