Real Madrid have reportedly contacted Manchester City’s 26-year-old striker Erling Haaland. The Spanish capital club City, to investigate his situation after the verdict against the English club.
The latest news from Real Madrid also places Arsenal in these initial moves, in case of a possible departure for the Norwegian if the sanctions ultimately affect City’s sporting future. “And we already know about Barcelona’s interest.
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The information points to initial contacts – not negotiations between clubs or a formal offer. The scenario will depend on the final resolution in the case against Manchester City, who have been found guilty of the majority of the offences analysed but are still awaiting their punishment.
Real Madrid investigate Erling Haaland
Real Madrid have been linked with Erling Haaland for years, but the current context adds another variable. According to reports from England, both Real Madrid and Arsenal have already expressed their interest to the striker’s representatives, according to Football Insider.
Haaland has a contract until June 2034 after signing a long-term extension with Manchester City in January 2025. This bond positions the English club strongly contractually if negotiations for a transfer should take place.
There is no publicly known clause that allows the striker to automatically leave the Etihad in the event of relegation. Therefore, an exit – even if the sporting penalty turns out to be severe – will have to be resolved between the player and Manchester City.
Haaland’s performance continues to be one of the reasons explaining the interest. Haaland has scored five goals in the first five rounds of the 2026/27 Premier League and currently leads the league’s top scorers list.
The penalty against Manchester City will be decisive
The process against Manchester City has not been concluded yet. Although an independent panel has found the club guilty of most of the charges related to the financial regulations, the actual sanction is still unclear – and there is a possibility of appeal from City’s side.
The scenarios surrounding the procedure include financial penalties, points deductions and even a potential relegation, but as of today, none of these measures have been confirmed. This aspect is crucial to understanding a possible move for Haaland.
A relegation would change the sporting scenario for a squad built to compete in both the Premier League and the Champions League. However, there is currently no indication that Erling Haaland has asked to leave Manchester, or that the club has decided to put him on the market.
Arsenal are also making a push for Haaland
Arsenal is identified as the second club to have taken an initial approach to the striker’s apparatus. However, the operation faces obvious financial and contractual challenges due to the player’s commitment to 2034.
Currently, there is no official transfer fee or ongoing negotiations with Manchester City. The revealed contacts aim to understand what would happen if the club’s institutional and sporting situation leads Haaland to consider an exit.
Real Madrid will remain aware of two crucial decisions before the scenario can develop: the final sanction against City and the player’s stance. Until then, the interest exists, according to the reports – but any potential transfer remains contingent on a legal process that still has to go through several stages.
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