Man City must intensify search for Erling Haaland's replacement after frustrating development

Manchester City youngster Floyd Samba is not quite ready to succeed Erling Haaland as the club's next starting striker after a disappointing Champions League debut.

Haaland's future at the Etihad Stadium has been plunged into doubt as the club faces potential expulsion from the Premier League and several other possible outcomes.

The Citizens are carrying on as normal for now, but it would be remiss of them to ignore what their squad may look like after an official verdict on their financial charges against the Premier League is filed.

Enzo Maresca used their Champions League clash against lesser-fancied opponents AEK Athens on Tuesday to rest Haaland, as academy star Samba started up front.

Samba certainly has potential and may end up a top striker in the future, but the clash should have reminded City that he will not be the immediate answer to their problems if Haaland departs in the near future or faces an extended spell out injured.

The 17-year-old was hardly involved despite their eventual 5-1 hammering of the Greeks, with more established stars like Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki stealing the show.

Floyd Samba failed to take his big Man City chance versus AEK Athens

Samba has scored regularly at several youth levels for City, and bagged twice on his senior debut in September in a Carabao Cup win over Norwich.

The teen prodigy was handed the biggest opportunity of his short career so far on home turf in midweek, but simply did not do enough to prove that he deserves to be utilised regularly as a number nine this season.

Samba registered just six touches of the ball as the game passed him by, while he made just two passes in 64 minutes, failed to take a shot and won just two of six attempted duels.

It was a disappointing showing considering his explosive debut, and another stark reminder to the club that they will have to look further afield to replace Haaland if the time comes soon.

Which club will Haaland look to join if he leaves City?

Haaland has continued scoring at an incredible rate that makes him near-impossible to replace, no matter how hard City may try if he is sold in the next 12 months.

The burly Norwegian frontman is admired by every top club in the world, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal proving to be three of his most likely destinations after the Etihad.

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Haaland's preference would be to join Barca if he is forced to leave City.

He is unlikely to taint his icon status at City by joining Arsenal, while Real already have a superstar striker in Kylian Mbappe, and so the Catalan club are in pole position for his signature right now.