Flashscore sources: Haaland will drive any decision over future transfer amid new links

[p]That matters at a time when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]City[/a] have gone through a major period of transition. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Haaland[/a] remaining settled, productive and fully committed has been an important part of making that change as smooth as possible.[/p][p]But there is a growing sense that the Norwegian's loyalty could face its biggest test next year.[/p][p]City always wanted to avoid a situation where [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guardiola-pep/hxNijWrJ/"]Pep Guardiola[/a] and Haaland left at the same time. Guardiola's departure at the end of last season meant that particular risk was avoided, allowing City to begin their next chapter with their most important goalscorer still at the heart of it.[/p][p]Haaland's contract runs until 2034 after he signed a remarkable nine-and-a-half-year extension in January 2025. That does not mean he is guaranteed to see it out.[/p][p][b]Sources believe Haaland will ultimately be the one to drive any decision over his future. City are not willingly inviting offers for him and have no intention of changing that position simply because interest develops elsewhere.[/b][/p][p]But players evolve, circumstances change and, at 26, Haaland is entering the years in which the biggest decisions of his career will carry the greatest significance. [/p][embed guid="00b41f8f-3e53-405c-ba86-3e22c4c022d5" url="https://x.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/2102438021031489992" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/nVp0wiqd/"]Bayern Munich[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] remain clubs to watch, as links have surfaced again this week.[/p][p]Bayern's interest would make sense if [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kane-harry/v5HSlEAa/"]Harry Kane[/a] leaves. Kane's current contract expires at the end of the 2026/27 season and talks over an extension are already progressing, with indications that both sides are keen to reach an agreement.[/p][p]If Kane stays, Haaland is unlikely to become an immediate priority in Munich. And, anyway, having already experienced the Bundesliga with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dortmund/vVcwNP6f/"]Borussia Dortmund[/a], would returning to Germany really be Haaland's top choice for his prime years?[/p][p][b]Sources suggest it is quite unlikely and that La Liga feels more compelling.The prospect of Haaland spending part of his prime at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atl-madrid/jaarqpLQ/"]Real Madrid[/a] or Barcelona has long been possible.[/b][/p][p]Madrid would appear difficult at present given the strength of their attacking options, while Barcelona could potentially have a vacancy.[/p][p]They allowed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lewandowski-robert/MVC8zHZD/"]Robert Lewandowski[/a] to leave and also failed to complete a move for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alvarez-julian/bBHauDIC/"]Julian Alvarez[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/gabriel-jesus-signs-for-barcelona-from-arsenal-to-end-alvarez-transfer-saga/rZbGna3e/"]despite seriously exploring a deal[/a] for the Atletico Madrid striker. That leaves open the possibility of a future move for Haaland - if the finances and circumstances allow.[/p][p][b]The numbers would be enormous, but perhaps not completely unthinkable. Alvarez was valued around €150 million when Barcelona explored the possibility of signing him. Haaland would cost more, with figures approaching €200m potentially required because of the extraordinary contract he signed with City in 2025.[/b][/p][p]That makes a move difficult to imagine, yet Haaland is not just another player. He is one of the most prolific goalscorers of his generation. His ambition has never been in question and, for now, that ambition is being channelled towards City.[/p][p]He is happy, thriving and determined to perform. But an approach from Barcelona, or a club of comparable stature, could test that commitment in a way that City have not yet had to deal with.[/p][p]The next couple of years could therefore become hugely significant. Norway have major ambitions with Euro 2028 approaching, giving Haaland another reason to ensure he enters the next phase of his career in the strongest possible position.[/p][p]If he decides that Manchester is where he wants to spend the prime years of his career, City have already done everything necessary to make that possible.[/p][p]But if he decides he wants to test himself somewhere else, it will be Haaland who has to drive that decision.[/p][infobox id="f961102e-920a-4281-b5f2-f996852544cf" /]