Erling Haaland receives ‘decision to activate’ Manchester City towards Champions League rivals ‘next season’ | OneFootball

A new report from Spain has claimed that FC Barcelona have now made the ‘decision to activate’ an operation to bring Erling Haaland to the club ‘next season’.

The Norway international is currently enduring a mixed season with Manchester City, both in terms of his own personal performances and the collective struggles of Pep Guardiola’s side across competitions at present.

Haaland himself is by far and away Manchester City’s leading goalscorer, having started the campaign in remarkable form securing 18 goals to his name, with Josko Gvardiol being the second-highest top-scorer with just four.

However, as his own goalscoring output has dried up in matches of late, so has Manchester City’s ability to perform as a collective and win football games, winning just one contest in their last 11 matches across competitions.

Some have speculated that it may be the end of Guardiola’s reign of dominance in England, whilst others have highlighted the urgent need for a squad refresh. However, one light of reporting that has not circulated is the potential for a desire to leave the club from mainstays.

That is what is now being discussed in Spain when it comes to the future of Erling Haaland, who has long been touted as a possible big-name arrival in the Spanish game ever since he arrived at Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

According to the information of journalist Jota Jordi speaking to El Chiringuito, a fluid and frequent conversation between Joan Laporte and Haaland’s team has now resulted in the City striker being identified as a clear transfer target for next season.

“We all know Laporta has a very good relationship with people of Erling Haaland, Rafaela Pimienta. They have a very good relationship, this is always maintained over time, they speak very often, very fluid contact,” Jordi explained, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness.

“What they tell me today, December 16, the decision is made. Events of today have made Barcelona make the decision to activate Erling Haaland to be the centre-forward next season,” he continued.

“They doubt not only Robert Lewandowski can hold on for 70 games being undisputed starter, but from what they’re seeing, Hansi Flick believes Robert Lewandowski can be the starting forward for 70 games and they believe it’s right time to get Haaland out of Manchester City.

“We all know the situation in Manchester City, the stumbling blocks that he has on the table, the results that Pep Guardiola’s team is carrying, and from what they tell me, the player is also already predisposed and with the decision taken to leave next summer.”

The current line of most-reliable reporting from within English media and reporters covering Manchester City most closely is that the Etihad Stadium club continue to hold a contract renewal for Erling Haaland at the very top of their priorities.

It is also widely believed that the player himself holds an intention to renew his deal and reap the rewards of a history-defining opening two seasons under Pep Guardiola, with the striker at the very forefront of whatever rebuild takes place in 2025.