Front-runners named as Arsenal race Real Madrid and Barcelona for Erling Haaland

Arsenal are one of the many top European sides keeping tabs on Erling Haaland's situation at Manchester City, sources have told Football Insider.

The future of the Norwegian is up in the air following Man City's guilty verdict on 114 charges of breaking Premier League rules.

It has left uncertainty swirling around most of Enzo Maresca's squad as they await to hear the punishment handed down to them.

So, when it comes to the Man City squad, Haaland will be on many football clubs' wish lists.

As I shared on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Arsenal could provide a route to keep the forward in the Premier League.

With the latest on the race for Haaland being shared amid interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid as well.

Arsenal's chances in Erling Haaland race shared

The race for Haaland will be a hotly contested one if the 26-year-old ends up leaving Man City.

In the event of that outcome, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will be standing by to potentially swoop for him.

With the current status of the leading party now being shared.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I revealed: "We have to wait and see what happens with Manchester City. Obviously, Haaland’s under a long-term contract; he signed that new deal not too long ago to keep at Man City for the foreseeable future.

"Man City are planning to keep Erling Haaland, they don’t want to lose him but there’s always been interest from the big Spanish duo in Erling Haaland.

"Barcelona especially have held a dream of bringing Haaland to the Camp Nou; Real Madrid, I’m sure, would be interested if he became available as well, and then you’ve mentioned there, Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the situation.

"I wouldn’t say there’s a clear front runner; if for whatever reason Haaland does become available with everything that’s going on at Manchester City, and if there’s a potential exit out of the club, I think it’ll be a pretty crowded race for Haaland’s signature because he is their most prized asset."

Haaland record chase could swing in Arsenal's favour

While the race for Haaland's signature is wide open should he leave Man City, Arsenal could be boosted by the Norwegian's race to break Alan Shearer's goal record.

Haaland is on 117 goals as things stand, 143 away from the Englishman's total.

By his standards and average of 28 goals per season, he would require just over five more seasons in the Premier League to break it.

The 26-year-old stated, via Man City, when he signed his long-term deal at the Etihad that he would do his "best" to overtake Shearer.

That was under the assumption he would remain in M11 for years to come.

So it remains to be seen if the appetite to break that feat remains away from Man City.