Fabrizio Romano reveals state of play on Erling Haaland to Barcelona

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 6 Oct 2024 10:08 BST
• 4 min read

Erling Haaland has been heavily linked with a summer move to Barcelona in 2025, but Fabrizio Romano has called for calm.

For some time now, Haaland has been heavily linked with a move to La Liga at the end of the season - either to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

In recent days the reports of a transfer to Barcelona have really intensified, with the Bluagrana's imminent sponsorship deal with Nike set to give them the money to finance the deal.

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But Romano has poured cold water on the reports.

“Erling Haaland – Barcelona have been linked with Manchester City’s star player in the Spanish press, but my honest feeling is that predicting what Barca will do now for summer 2025 would be completely made up stuff,” Romano said.

“It will depend on Financial Fair Play and on how this season goes. It’s still early October. At the club, they’re absolutely not working on this kind of big deals for summer 2025 now. Haaland is only focused on Man City, there’s nothing concrete ongoing at all – I can guarantee that.”

Haaland has been increasingly linked with quitting Man City at the end of the season for a number of reasons.

First of all, Haaland never intended to stay at City for the long term when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

This is now his third season and he feels he will have achieved everything he wants to by the end of the current campaign.

Secondly, Pep Guardiola is due to leave City at the end of the season when his contract expires - with little prospect of a renewal.

Thirdly, Man City are currently embroiled in the ‘Trial of the Century’ fighting against 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. Heavy punishments - including relegation - are very possible. Haaland realises that City are likely to be severely punished and this will further push him to move.

The Spanish media have long reported that Haaland wants to move to La Liga next to join either Barcelona or Real Madrid, both of whom wanted to sign him when he left Borussia Dortmund for Man City in 2022.

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Haaland scored an incredible 90 goals in 98 games in his first two seasons at Man City, winning every major trophy in the club game, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League.

He has also started the current season in brilliant form, with 10 goals in seven Premier League matches.

Haaland release clause

Haaland has a release clause that came into effect in this summer of 2024 that is worth €200 million.

According to The Athletic, that release clause is only valid for clubs outside of the Premier League.

It is also reported that the release clause will decrease each year after it was activated in 2024.

Haaland reportedly has a second minimum fee release clause that will be activated in the summer of 2025 that stands at €175m. It will then decrease again in 2026.