Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has dropped a hint on Erling Haaland’s possible destination if Manchester City are heavily sanctioned.
City are embroiled in Premier League financial fair play breaches and have been found guilty by an independent commission.
While punishment is yet to be announced, there have been speculations of hefty points deductions that could lead to their relegation and stripping of domestic titles during the period that was investigated.
Manchester City boost of world-class players and their future has become a centre of discussion if the former European champions find themselves in the lower English leagues.
Scholes predicts La Liga future for Haaland
Haaland joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and he has stamped his authority as the Premier League’s finest striker since his arrival.
The Norway striker has claimed the Premier League Golden Boot in three of the last four seasons and his goalscoring exploits contributed to City’s league success in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
The 26-year-old, who is rated as one of the best finishers in the world with over 170 goals for City across all competitions, committed his long-term future to the Etihad Stadium in 2025 with a deal that runs until 2034.
However, Scholes does not see Haaland playing in a lower league and he has stated that he could move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid in the event of Man City’s relegation.
When asked about Haaland’s future on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Scholes said; “Barcelona, even though he looks like a player who would suit Real Madrid, and I can completely imagine him in the shirt of the Royal Club, but he would move to Barcelona.”
Haaland's career has spanned Norway, Germany and England but Spain has always pulled the biggest names in football, which include Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
Nicky Butt suggests Haaland's father role
Meanwhile, former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt suggested that Haaland's father would have mapped out his son's future.
Alf-Inge Haaland, who is a former Manchester City player, is often present in key matches involving his son at the Etihad Stadium and Butt believes he will be present to make a decision on his son's future as well.
"I would be surprised if his father hadn't already got something lined up for him somewhere," Butt said on the podcast.
"He's everywhere, he even appears sometimes near the penalty area half the time, watching his son and trying to get all the limelight."
Haaland has made a fine start to the Premier League campaign and he is leading the scorer's chart with nine goals for Manchester City who are third in the league table.
