Contract extended until 2034
Pep Guardiola has responded to ongoing speculation regarding Barcelona’s ambition to sign Erling Haaland following the Norwegian’s impressive performance in Manchester City’s victory against Brentford. The 25-year-old striker has started the season exceptionally well, scoring nine goals in just seven Premier League matches and three goals in two Champions League games.
As Haaland continues to shatter records at Manchester City, rumors linking him to Barcelona remain persistent. Reports from Spain have suggested that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is “obsessed” with the idea of bringing Haaland to the club, with this pursuit likely to intensify over the coming months. Laporta faces re-election next year, and his public desire to secure Haaland’s signature may bolster his campaign. In January, Haaland signed a long-term contract with City, valid until 2034, and the club has reportedly placed a €250m price tag on him, according to El Nacional, although such reports should be approached with skepticism.
Pep Guardiola weighs in on Haaland’s links to Barcelona
It’s uncommon for managers to comment on transfer rumors involving their players, yet Guardiola openly discussed Barcelona’s interest in Haaland on Sunday. “Can you name a club that wouldn’t dream of having Erling Haaland? I understand Barcelona’s interest—it’s a dream for many clubs. If Erling weren’t with us, it would still be a dream for Manchester City to have him,” he stated. “What will happen in the future, honestly, I cannot predict. I’m aware he has a long contract with us and he’s been performing excellently.”
Guardiola added, “The team supports him greatly and creates numerous opportunities for him to score. I believe Erling isn’t foolish enough to sign a deal unless he’s keen on achieving what he wants. But in football, the future is unpredictable; no one truly knows what will happen.” Given Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles, it’s highly unlikely they could finance a move for Haaland in the near future, and currently, he remains content in Manchester.
