Real Madrid are unlikely to pursue a move for Erling Haaland even if Manchester City are punished, according to reports in Spain. The Norwegian striker faces an uncertain future after the verdict that City were found guilty of 114 of their charges during the legal dispute with the Premier League.
Contract and fit concerns
Spanish outlet Sport suggest that even if City are penalised for wrongdoing they're deemed to have committed, it won't prompt movement from Los Blancos. Figures in the Spanish capital have not planned to make a move for Haaland due to the lengthy contract he has signed, which was penned without exit clauses.
The logistics of a move to Madrid have also been disputed, despite an impressive relationship with Jude Bellingham from their time at Borussia Dortmund. It has been said that Haaland wouldn't fit into the Madrid mould, which consists of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. Yan Diomande's big-money move to Madrid could also provide a stumbling block to a move in the event of significant demotion for City.
Barcelona and appeal prospects
But a move to Barcelona hasn't been taken off the table as the Catalan giants have been deemed a better fit for the Premier League great. City are expected to lodge an appeal against the verdict from the legal battle with the Premier League, leaving supporters in a perilous position as they face an agonising wait to see what degree the sanctions are handed out.
The possibilities appear endless with a number of punishments available ranging from fines, points deductions, expulsion from the top-flight or stripping of the titles they won between 2009-10 and 2017-18. Roberto Mancini, who was City boss during the period in question, disregarded the verdict and reaffirmed that the North West club are not guilty of wrongdoing.
Precedent set by previous deductions
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes the sanctions for Nottingham Forest and Everton have set a precedent following their respective points deductions for financial breaches. He told TalkTV: "There is no doubt a points deduction would be the most likely outcome in the view of many."
"We have seen points deductions before for Nottingham Forest and Everton for breach of the financial limit rules. So that is feasible. There is a separate issue of whether clubs who have missed out on titles, could they put in for financial compensation for not getting into Europe and loss of prize money."
