Erling Haaland has been tipped for a sensational transfer move after Manchester City were found guilty of breaching well over 100 Premier League financial rules. Man City, the dominant force in English football over the last decade, were found guilty of 114 of 115 charges by an independent panel. The charges relate to a nine-year period during which City won three Premier League titles, dating from 2009 to 2018.
Uncertain future at the Etihad
The Premier League has not yet decided on what sanctions the club will face, while Manchester City are preparing to appeal the verdict. It has previously been suggested that Manchester City could face a huge points deduction or even be relegated from the Premier League if the charges are upheld.
Haaland has developed into one of the best players in the world since his £51m move to the Etihad Stadium in 2022, scoring a staggering 169 goals in 205 appearances. The Norway striker is well on course to surpass Sergio Aguero as Man City's all-time record goalscorer while Alan Shearer's Premier League tally of 260 appears to be in danger.
Mendieta backs Barcelona move
Surpassing Shearer would require Haaland to spend a significant portion of the rest of his career at Man City but the future of the 26-year-old and several of his current teammates is uncertain given the charges overhanging the club. Former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta insists Haaland will be on the move if Man City are removed from the Premier League and Champions League and has backed him to join Barcelona.
'Erling Haaland's future is interesting,' he told Casinolyze. 'Let's see how things pan out at Man City and whether the appeal turns out to be successful.'
'But players like Haaland want to win trophies. I agree that if he moves, which could happen, the price tag will be massive, certainly not below a hundred million. That is just the way it is.'
'In terms of where I see him, I could imagine him at both Real Madrid and Barca. However, I sense that Barca's style would be better for him, and perhaps better for the club too.'
'The way he makes those runs and his power in the box suits the Hansi Flick style quite well.'
'We are talking about something quite far down the line, but if things don't work out at City this season or over the next couple of seasons, he is still very young and very ambitious. He won't want to stay at a club where they aren't winning trophies.'
Chairman's open letter to fans
Earlier this weekend Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak wrote an open letter to supporters urging them to remain confident the club can prove its innocence. 'I have been part of this Club for 18 years,' the statement said. 'I have had the privilege to stand with you in the Etihad, at Wembley, and in Istanbul.'
'This Club matters to me, and you have shown and told me – time and time again – how much Manchester City matters to you. This is why I am writing to you today.'
'Following Friday's media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues.'
'So have I. Here's what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club's innocence is just as strong as when this began.'
'There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment.'
'Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies. I ask you to please carefully read the statement below, which we gave on Friday, and the statement we issued in February 2023. Every word matters and holds true.'
'While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our Club. We will not give them that opportunity.'
'We have some exciting moments to look forward to after this international break. We travel to Anfield in a fortnight, and then host Paris St Germain in the Champions League back at Etihad Stadium – moments that give us an opportunity to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family.'
'Thank you, as always, for your constant support.'
Man City are currently top of the Premier League having started the 2026-27 campaign with five successive wins, most recently beating Sunderland 5-3 before the international break. Enzo Maresca's side return to action following the international break with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.
