Erling Haaland is at the centre of transfer speculation once again after Friday's reports about Manchester City's Premier League charges. Talk of interest from La Liga has resurfaced, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona linked with a move for the Norway striker.
It remains early days for any potential punishments for City, despite rival fans' excitement over a possible relegation or demotion. There is precedent for top stars staying in the second tier, with Gigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero at Juventus as prime examples.
Reports of Interest from Spain
The Sun report that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are ready to pounce if Haaland decides to leave the Etihad Stadium. Madrid are also said to admire Josko Gvardiol, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Rayan Cherki.
Some of Haaland's previous comments about playing in Spain and his earlier links with those two giants have resurfaced as a result.
Haaland's Previous Comments
In January 2025, Haaland addressed speculation after his father, Alfie, spoke about the striker spending no more than three seasons in each league. "Those are his words, not mine!" the City frontman said. "I think when I signed for City, I felt like it was home. I really meant it. I feel so happy, my family is so happy. In the end, that is what I wanted."
Haaland was speaking after signing a new deal in Manchester. He has now passed that three-year threshold and is in his fifth season with the club.
In 2021, AS reported that Haaland told fans in Marbella he would eventually play in Spain. At the time, Barcelona were not in a financial position to make a move, leaving Real Madrid as the apparent option, but he joined City from Borussia Dortmund a year later.
Riquelme Pledge and Mendieta View
In 2026, Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme revived those links with a pledge to bring Haaland to the Bernabeu. City issued a statement denying the possibility: "The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue. There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it. We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context."
Former Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta believes Spotify Camp Nou would suit Haaland better than a move to the Spanish capital, though he recognised a nine-figure offer would likely be needed. Haaland is under contract at City until 2034, but if he does choose to leave, two clubs would be keen to pick him up.
