Barcelona manager Xavi has suggested that Erling Haaland has mainly chosen to join Manchester City for financial reasons, as the Borussia Dortmund striker closes in on a move to the Etihad.
City are close to completing a huge deal for Haaland, with reports suggesting he completed a medical on Monday. Haaland would join City for £63m - the price of his release clause - but with a large financial package giving City an edge over other rivals who may have been able to afford the upfront fee.
Barcelona have made comments in recent months about being able to sign Haaland, even though they have well-documented financial issues, however their president Joan Laporta and other senior figures have insisted that they wouldn't jeopardise their long-term finances for any player. Now, Xavi has now ruled them out of the race and seemingly aimed a dig at City.
