'The ultimate football environment' - why Haaland deal should be no surprise

When Erling Haaland touched down at Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2022, all some media outlets could think about was how the move to Manchester City may impact his arrival date at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

In the summer that came immediately after the Treble success of 2023, that conversation switched to questions of what Haaland would do next after achieving everything he set out to at City in one season.

Then came a fourth consecutive Premier League title, aided in large part by Haaland's goal contributions, and many were asking: 'Well, with Pep Guardiola set to leave at the end of next season, surely so will Haaland?'

Now, here we are, basking in the security of Guardiola staying for another two seasons, Txiki Begiristain and his transfer colleagues building the next phase of this all-conquering football institution, and Haaland committing his next 10 years to Etihad Stadium.

It is the stuff dreams are made of; one of the world's most recognisable sporting stars of the present and a talent many are tipping to take on the global authority once dominated by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. A talent that no other striker on the planet can get close to in terms of pure statistics in front of goal.

But should we really be surprised? This is the ultimate football environment and an organisation that does everything within its power to cater for the stars of the show - the footballers themselves.

That is before we even begin to consider the ongoing ambition and silverware prospects of the team consistently being constructed by the very best decision makers in the game.

But there is one crucial factor that perhaps has been lost in the rhetoric over the past couple of seasons, and one that maybe would have left some not so surprised by the nine-and-a-half-year extension signed by the big Norwegian.

Haaland is a lifelong Manchester City fan. He loves the city, he loves the fans, he loves the culture, and he loves the club.

He is here to stay.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra