Joe Cole and Peter Crouch have had their say on Erling Haaland's astonishing new nine-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City.
Haaland, 24 years old, penned the blockbuster contract extension Friday morning, which is believed to be one of the most lucrative sports deals of all time.
The Norwegian star will be 34 when his new contract expires, while all previous release clauses from his current contract, which was due to expire in the summer of 2027, have been removed.
And former Premier League star Crouch admitted he was a little surprised by the nature of the contract, but pointed out a possible reason behind the move.
'YO “I think it's strange,” Crouch told TNT Sports ahead of Newcastle's clash with Bournemouth.
“I don't know (why the contract is so long), there must have been murmurs from potential people to offer him that. “I totally understand it from City's point of view.
Erling Haaland signed a new nine and a half year contract with Manchester City on Friday
Haaland's new deal will take him until 2034, when he will be 34 years old.
Peter Crouch admitted he felt the new deal was “strange” but said it was a great deal.
'Man City (benefits the most). They have maintained their value, there are no exit clauses, so they will maintain their value for the next 10 years.
“He's not going to decline, he's just going to get better.” “He has been an absolute revelation since he came to the Premier League.”
Crouch continued: “I think it will break all records.” If you look at Alan Shearer's 260, it looks like it's in danger now.
“He was very happy when Harry Kane moved, but I think Haaland will break all records.”
Haaland has previously been linked with reigning European champions Real Madrid, with repeated reports in Spain that release clauses had offered hope a deal could be agreed at some point in the future.
Indeed, Mail Sport understands that his career plan involved a move to La Liga, with Real's long-standing admirers, and Haaland is understood to have reiterated that idea to friends over the past two years.
But a new contract covering 10 seasons without those clauses is a significant change of direction and a sign of intent, and the 24-year-old expressed his desire to create a legacy with City when speaking after signing his new contract.
Haaland's goals helped Manchester City win the Premier League in 2023 and 2024
Haaland won back-to-back Golden Boots and expressed his desire to create a legacy.
Joe Cole felt Haaland's new contract was an “incredible coup” and brilliant news for City.
Haaland has scored 111 goals in 126 appearances for Man City in all competitions since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.
The Norwegian was part of a crucial part of City's treble-winning season in 2022-23, while they added the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield last season, with the striker missing through injury for City's success in the Club World Cup in December 2023.
And Cole echoed Crouch's view that the deal was excellent news for City.
“It's an incredible blow for Manchester City,” he said. 'If you think about the context, where they are.
“They have fallen from first place, what is happening in the courts (with the alleged 115 financial charges where City denies having acted wrongly) and a coach who was leaving but now stays.”
“They are trying to rebuild and they need a point of support, someone who, if they go to the best players and say: 'come play for Manchester City, we are going to get this club back to the top,' they said. You can say “we have the best scorer in Europe signed for 10 years”.
“The statement on this… is a fantastic business decision and I am sure that Mr. Haland will not be short a cent over the next decade.”
Haaland and his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen welcomed their first child last month.
Both pundits praised Haaland, who won back-to-back Golden Boots, for everything he had already achieved at City and felt the Norwegian was only going to break more records in the future.
“I've never seen a striker like him in my life,” Cole added. 'This child is as if he had been built in a laboratory to score goals.
Crouch said: “He's an incredible talent and an incredible player.” If he receives the right service, he will continue to score goals.
“I also have a little record, the record for headed goals… I think that will be shattered too.”