Credit: Imago

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sat 21 March 2026 19:15, UK

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Manchester City would only consider a massive transfer offer to sell Erling Haaland to Real Madrid or Barcelona and have no plans to let him leave this summer.

Haaland has been at his imperious best for most of the season, but is in the midst of a rough patch of form, by his standards, that has seen him score once in his last five City matches.

The 25-year-old’s recent drop-off has raised doubts around his future at the Etihad Stadium, with Real Madrid and Barcelona each touted as potential next destinations.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, City will not be selling Haaland anytime soon and would demand a giant sum of money to even consider such a deal.

Man City’s summer transfer plans could well focus on the club signing a back-up striker to compete with the Norwegian like Julian Alvarez did before leaving for Atletico Madrid.

Erling Haaland would only leave Man City for a massive transfer fee

Haaland cost City around £51million to sign from Borussia Dortmund, which has turned out as a fantastic deal for the club, but his reported weekly wages of £525,000 mean that he has not come particularly cheap on the whole.

His form will need to improve with immediate effect if the Citizens are to challenge Arsenal in the Premier League title race, and he has the chance to deal them a blow in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “I don’t see any way that Manchester City will be opening any doors for Erling Haaland to leave.

“He signed a new long-term contract last January, which keeps him at the Etihad until 2031. City will be very keen to keep him and build around Haaland, rather than letting him leave.

“The rumours with Barcelona and Real Madrid, they’re never going to go away because he will be such a dream signing for both of those clubs, but financially it would take a huge amount of money, and as I said, City have no desire to let him go either.”

Phil Foden could leave Man City as contract talks stall

While Haaland is not going anywhere just yet, Foden is a key City asset who may be on his way out soon after struggling for form this season.

The England star has not scored in any competition since bagging against Crystal Palace on 14 December, and sources have told Football Insider that Foden could be tempted to leave Man City this summer.

He has started one of City’s last seven games, and was left on the bench for both of their Champions League knockout ties against Real Madrid.

If a big-name star is to depart the Etihad soon, it certainly seems likely to be the 25-year-old, especially as his contract is set to expire next year.