Manchester City risk losing Erling Haaland if their appeal over alleged financial breaches is unsuccessful.
That is the view of former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, who is predicting Haaland to make the move to LaLiga if Man City are punished for breaking the all but one of the 115 Premier League charges levelled against them.
The Athletic first reported on Friday (September 25) that Man City had been found guilty by a three-person independent commission and according to Sky Sports, the process is now moving on to the appeals stage.
While a decision on potential sanctions has yet to be reached, a wide range of punishments are said to be on the table, from substantial fines to points deductions or even possibly expulsion from the Premier League or the retrospective stripping of titles.
Speaking to Casinolyze, Mendieta believes the outcome will have an impact on Haaland’s future at the Etihad Stadium and has tipped the Norway international to join Barcelona over bitter rivals Real Madrid should things not work out for Man City.
He said: "Erling Haaland’s future is interesting. Let's see how things pan out at Man City and whether it turns out to be successful. Players like Haaland want to win trophies.
“I agree that if he moves, which could happen, the price tag will be massive, certainly not below a hundred million. That is just the way it is.
“In terms of where I see him, I could imagine him at both Madrid and Barca. However, I sense that Barca's style would be better for him, and perhaps better for the club too.
“The way he makes those runs and his power in the box suits the Hansi Flick style quite well.
“We are talking about something quite far down the line, but if things don't work out at City this season or over the next couple of seasons, he is still very young and very ambitious. He won't want to stay at a club where they aren't winning trophies."
In January 2025, Haaland penned a new long-term contract with City, keeping him at the club until 2034.
As per the BBC, Haaland’s previous deal, which reportedly included a release clause, had been due to expire in 2027, but he is now contracted to City until his 34th birthday.
