Erling Haaland could be much closer to resolving his exit from Manchester City in 2025. The 24-year-old forward, one of Joan Laporta's great dreams to lead FC Barcelona in the future, still has two more seasons on his contract, but a 'secret' clause in his contract could take him away from the 'sky blue' team much sooner than expected.
In principle, the '9' will have the right to demand his exit to any club if the Manchester team fails to qualify for the next edition of the UEFA Champions League. After the defeat against Aston Villa (2-1), the sixth in the last eight rounds of the Premier League, Pep Guardiola's team dropped to seventh place in the table with 27 points, 12 behind leaders Liverpool.
Beyond the doubts regarding his future, the 'Cyborg', true to his nature, keeps his focus on the results he can achieve in the rest of the season. Looking ahead to the summer, the story will be different, depending on the objectives that a team living a true drama can achieve. Erling, like the team, is far from his best version, with only 18 goals scored in 24 matches.
Haaland remains self-critical and supportive of Pep Guardiola
"We have to keep going. First, I am looking at myself. I haven't been doing things well enough, nor taking my opportunities. I need to do better," commented the '9' after the defeat in Birmingham. In that sense, he also took the opportunity to support Guardiola, who has received most of the criticism for the 'sky blue' crisis.
"He will find the solutions. He has done it every year. We still believe in him, we have to work harder than ever now," pointed out the Norwegian. Beyond the intention to turn the page and help his team recover in 2025, the 'sky blue' management is very clear about the '9's position. If City is out of the next Champions, for sporting or legal reasons, the forward will ask to leave.
Meanwhile, Barcelona is waiting for its opportunity, hoping to have a much more advantageous financial situation in the next summer market. Looking ahead to the winter, the position of the Barcelona management regarding pursuing reinforcements is clear. The priority is to resolve the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. After that, tackle the pending renewals.