Erling Haaland’s agent has said that his star client is now the most valuable player in the world, stating that he is now worth a whopping €1 billion.
The transfer window slammed shut on 31 January and, obviously, there was no chance of Haaland leaving the Etihad, but the 22-year-old superstar’s agent has still been talking about her client and what she deems to be his current market value.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with sporting outlet AS, Brazilian agent Rafaela Pimenta was talking about how she took over managing the City striker as a client after former representative and renowned football agent, Mino Raiola, passed away in April of 2022.
Discussing everything from the power balance between player and agent to Haaland’s personality and how social media can help be a gift or a curse, the 50-year-old was eventually asked how much she thinks he is worth today. She already had the extraordinary figure in her head back in October.
"Erling Haaland could be the first £1bn player!" 🤯
Doubling down on the statement on Wednesday, 1 February, she told AS‘ Marco Ruiz: “For me, Haaland is worth 1,000 million [roughly £895 million]. Maybe nobody is going to pay that, but it is the potential that he has when he arrives at a club.”
Contextualising the number, she noted that Paul Pogba was valued at “£80 million and everyone said… It’s incredible! Today many are worth it. The top is at Neymar’s €222m… The numbers change.”
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Pimenta worked alongside Raiola for more than 20 years, helping engineer deals like Pogba’s return to Manchester United for a then-world record fee. She has since inherited his football agency empire, representing the likes of Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland and more.
She went on to insist that with a player like Haaland, you’re not just getting his performances on the pitch: you’re paying for the full package and that’s why she feels he should be valued so highly.
“With him comes fans, goals, sports results, professionalism, digital content, notoriety, sponsors… If you put all this together, his value is an aggregate of many things. But the price of a footballer is actually set by a club.”
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She went on to admit that while she believes “nobody is going to pay 700 million for a player”, she stands behind her statement that “the value Erling adds when he arrives at a club is immense, at least 1,000 million.”
Haaland is already said to be on nearly £900k a week thanks to his current deal — we don’t even want to think of what his compensation would look like if the numbers ever get that ridiculous.
With City’s number nine on course to break all manner of records, especially with those in blue around him giving him plenty of service and a platform to shine even brighter on the world stage, we really couldn’t put a number on how much Haaland is worth… but a billion!?
Elsewhere in the interview, Pimenta refused to confirm whether her client has a release clause in his contract, simply replying: “I’m not saying anything.” This comes after manager Pep Guardiola insisted no such clause exists at present.
She was also probed as to whether she expects Haaland to play in Spain one day, with Real Madrid mentioned specifically; all she would say is that “today he is very happy at City. Tomorrow, we’ll have to think about it”.
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How long do you see Erling Haaland staying at City for?
Manchester United to wear special one-off shirt for important awareness campaign
Danny Jones
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).
AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory (7-1 on aggregate) over Athletic Club.
The Red Devils will be heading to that same team’s home stadium of San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
If you think that name rings a bell, you’re right: they’re the same folks behind the regular events held over at Victoria Warehouse for any big United games, and 21 May will be no different – other than being arguably their biggest date ever.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch Ruben Amorim’s side potentially take home their first piece of silverware since his arrival.
If you saw the scenes at Road to Victory in the AO during Euro 2024, you’ll know how unbelievable a venue this is to watch the footy.
As the promoters have billed it: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa League Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the UEL final on Wednesday, 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May.
Danny Jones -
2nd February 2023 
