Images reveal transfer meeting held between Barcelona and Manchester City in Madrid | OneFootball

A remarkable claim from Spanish media has revealed a meeting between Manchester City and Barcelona officials on Wednesday included talks over Erling Haaland.

The timing of the rendezvous came just hours before City’s gruelling 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, and the presence of high-ranking officials from both clubs in the Spanish capital suggests long-term strategic planning is underway for coming transfer windows.

This meeting comes at a sensitive time for the Catalan giants, as Victor Font’s team continues to conduct its campaign to try and earn votes for the club’s upcoming presidential election, due on 15 March, 2026.

For Manchester City, it could represent one of the first major ‘summit’ meetings involving Hugo Viana in an increasingly crucial year for the club, signalling his intent to manage the future of the club’s most valuable assets with clinical precision.

As per images captured by SPORT, Carles Planchart and Xavier Aguiler – members of Victor Font’s team – held meetings at Manchester City’s hotel in Madrid ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with CEO Ferran Soriano and sporting director Hugo Viana.

Barcelona’s Long-Term Play for Haaland

The report from Carlos Monfort claims that one of the objectives of the meeting was to secure a ‘preferential purchase option’ for Barcelona should Erling Haaland and Manchester City decide to part ways – although a move in the short-term is not currently being considered.

It is pointed out that having a preferential option on the Norway international would give officials at Camp Nou priority over other clubs that have shown interest, including La Liga rivals Real Madrid.

Why Camp Nou Wants Priority Over Real Madrid

The concept of such an option could become a strategic masterstroke for Barcelona, aiming to jump the queue for a player who has already netted 29 goals in all competitions this season, whilst breaking a whole host of individual records since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2022.

By establishing such a verbal agreement now, Font’s representatives are attempting to shield the club from a potential bidding war and simultaneously earn support for their own election campaign, should Haaland decide to seek a new challenge any time soon.

For Manchester City, the willingness to sit down with Barcelona officials may be a calculated move to maintain market leverage, whilst also showcasing the club’s desire to maintain close ties with the Catalan club.

While Haaland remains under contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2034, the club has always maintained a policy of not standing in the way of players who wish to move, provided their valuation is met.

These talks ensure that if a transition occurs, it only happens on Manchester City’s terms and potentially maintains a future partnership with one of Europe’s most storied institutions, having developed a close bond through the likes of Pep Guardiola, Ferran Soriano, and former sporting director, Txiki Begiristain.