Man City star could start a transfer battle between La Liga giants Real Madrid & Barcelona | OneFootball

Erling Haaland’s future is once again dominating transfer headlines across Europe, with Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly preparing to explore the possibility of signing the Manchester City striker. Interest from La Liga’s two biggest clubs has intensified, but Man City remain adamant that the Norwegian forward is central to their long-term plans, according to Football Insider.

Despite a dip in scoring form by his extraordinary standards, City officials are understood to have no intention of sanctioning a sale, viewing Haaland as the cornerstone of their attacking project for years to come.

Spanish giants remain interest in Man City attacker

Haaland, now 25, has set exceptionally high standards since arriving in England, becoming one of the most feared forwards in world football.

However, recent months have been relatively quiet compared to his usual output, with the striker scoring five goals in 19 appearances since the start of 2026.

While this tally would be respectable for many forwards, it represents a noticeable drop for a player who has consistently challenged scoring records across competitions.

This temporary slowdown has fueled speculation in Spain that Barcelona and Real Madrid could test Man City’s resolve with ambitious summer approaches.

City’s firm stance and long term vision for Haaland

Erling Haaland in action for Manchester City (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

City’s position remains clear, Haaland is not for sale. The striker is tied to the club until June 2031, placing City in a commanding contractual position. Club executives are reportedly focused on strengthening the squad around him rather than considering any exit.

City’s recruitment strategy for the upcoming window is expected to target areas such as midfield depth and defensive reinforcement, ensuring that Haaland continues to receive the service required to maximise his strengths.

There has also been growing discussion surrounding Man City’s managerial future.

Should Pep Guardiola eventually step aside, a topic frequently debated in European football circles, reports suggest that Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is viewed internally as a leading candidate to succeed him.