Man City makes a transfer decision with Haaland and has yet to agree on terms for a new contract

PEP GUARDIOLA says Manchester City love Erling Haaland so much they want him to stay for 10 years.

The Norwegian striker's return after a two-month absence with a foot injury has sparked new reports linking him with Real Madrid.

Interest from Spanish giants Real has been discussed, but Pep Guardiola says Man City hopes to keep Erling Haaland for a 'long time'Credit: Getty

Talks about a new deal with the Treble winners have yet to lead to anything official.

And in Spain it is said that Haaland, 23, does not like living in Manchester.

But boss Guardiola said: “What do you think, we don't want Erling to stay here for ten years? Honestly. Yes, we want him to stay at this club for a long time. We are in love with him.

“First of all, it is an honor that the important clubs want our players, but in the end the players decide.

“But of course we want to keep our best players. We need good players.”

Haaland was born in Leeds while his father Alfie played for the Whites.

Despite the reports from Spain, Haaland gave an interview to City last week in which he talked about how settled he feels in Manchester.

When asked what he liked most about living in the North West, he said: “I'm a football guy, for me it's easy for my family to come here, just over the sea, very close.

“I love the atmosphere and the positivity of the fans when I meet them. The banter. Also the English people in general.

“I like to joke like them – we are similar in Norway, we like to banter.
“People see us on the street, United fans, we joke with each other.”

Haaland scored a record 52 goals in all competitions last season – his debut season for City.

He added: “The first season for me was the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup.

“We came back to preseason and it was like, 'Are we back yet?'

“It took a few months to digest it.

“I want to recreate some of the things we did last season.”