Erling Haaland could end up at FC Barcelona if Manchester City face relegation from the Premier League over financial breaches, according to Paul Scholes.

Haaland has scored 14 goals in 14 matches this season with Manchester City, as Foot Mercato reported. The Norway international is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2034 and remains fully committed to the Manchester club’s sporting project.

However, the long-term future of the 26-year-old striker depends partly on the outcome of disciplinary proceedings involving the Premier League. In September 2026, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of 114 out of 115 financial infractions covering the period between 2009 and 2018, as blaugranas.fr detailed. The club lodged an appeal, and a final verdict is expected in January 2027 to determine whether the Sky Blues face a points deduction or relegation.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes discussed where the forward might move if the club drops out of the top flight. and blaugranas.fr both covered the remarks made during the broadcast.

Paul Scholes, former Manchester United midfielder

Regulatory scrutiny creates potential exits for Haaland

The possibility of a departure stems directly from the ongoing regulatory scrutiny facing Manchester City. While the club won multiple trophies under manager Pep Guardiola, including the Premier League and the Champions League, the severity of the alleged infractions leaves open the prospect of severe sporting sanctions.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two clubs most keen on a future deal for Haaland.

Real Madrid already feature France captain Kylian Mbappé in their squad, yet club president Florentino Pérez has historically pursued marquee additions regardless of existing squad composition. Meanwhile, Barcelona pursued alternative targets during the summer transfer window.

Barcelona’s pursuit of a world-class forward

Barcelona attempted to sign Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid ahead of the current campaign, submitting a bid worth 100 million euros. Atlético Madrid rejected the approach, refusing to sell the Argentina international to a direct domestic rival.

Failing to secure Álvarez, Barcelona ultimately brought in Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal as an economic opportunity, though fitness concerns persist around the Brazilian forward.

Nicky Butt, appearing alongside Scholes on The Good, The Bad & The Football, suggested that familial planning could also influence Haaland’s eventual destination. Butt pointed to the involvement of the player’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland.

“When you see what his dad’s like, I’d be surprised if there’s nothing lined up through his dad somewhere. He’s just everywhere you look. He’s in the box half the time as well. He watches his son play football, trying to take all his glory all the time,” Butt said.

Haaland remains at Manchester City until legal verdict

Manchester City await the conclusion of their legal appeal ahead of the final verdict scheduled for January 2027. In the interim, Haaland continues to lead the attack for the defending champions as domestic and European fixtures progress.