According to reports, Erling Haaland’s future at Manchester City is in doubt as he would ‘ask to leave’ the Premier League holders on ‘one condition’.
In January, Man City made a huge statement as Haaland signed a massive new contract to commit his future to the club until 2034. In doing so, they appeared to have secured his services for most of his career.
Since joining Man City for around £51m from Borussia Dortmund during the 2022 summer window, Haaland has sporadically been linked with a move elsewhere amid reported interest from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Man City presumably would have hoped that Haaland’s new deal would squash speculation regarding a potential transfer, but reports in Spain are still trying to cause a stir.
Haaland scored his 21st Premier League goal of the 2024/25 campaign during Man City’s 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday.
This has been a disappointing season for Pep Guardiola’s side, and this result leaves them fifth in the Premier League after their title hopes ended before the New Year.
Having already exited the Champions League, Man City’s main aim for the remainder of this campaign is to qualify for next season’s competition.
A fifth-place finish will be enough with an extra Premier League team set to be included next season, but Man City face a fight to qualify with four teams fewer than five points adrift of Guardiola’s team.
A new report in Spain claims Haaland ‘will ask to leave’ Man City on ‘one condition’ as Guardiola ‘knows’ it ‘could force his departure’ this summer if they miss out on the Champions League.
Haaland is ‘unwilling’ to miss out on the Champions League for a season, as his Man City ‘future depends on qualification’.
Regarding potential next moves, the report adds:
‘If Manchester City fail to secure a Champions League spot, Haaland’s future would become uncertain. Although he has a contract with the club, his ambition to compete at the highest level could lead him to look for an exit.
‘In this sense, his natural destination would be Real Madrid, which already has Kylian Mbappé and could try to form a dream attack with both of them.
‘Outside of Spain, Haaland’s potential suitors are limited. Bayern Munich, who initially sought a number 9 after Lewandowski’s departure, have already found stability with Harry Kane, which would rule him out as a priority option.
‘PSG, after losing Mbappé, could be an alternative, although the French league doesn’t seem attractive to the Norwegian.
‘If City doesn’t react in time, the summer is looking complicated. Guardiola knows this, and the pressure on his team is at its peak in this final stretch of the season.’