Guardiola wouldn't stop Haaland leaving Man City

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 4 min read

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reportedly wouldn't stand in Erling Haaland's way should he wish to leave the club at any point.

Haaland, 22, only arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2022, but transfer talk regarding an exit still remains bubbling away thanks to comments his father made recently.

Alf-Inge Haaland, who played for Man City and Leeds United during his career, told France Football: "My impression is that he wants to demonstrate that he can win at any of the big leagues. He was in Germany for two-and-a-half years and he could do something like that in the future.

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"Staying in the Premier League for three years and then going to Italy, Spain or France. There's nothing firm about it, but it's a possibility because Erling is capable of being a winner in any team."

Those comments sparked rumours of a Man City departure, with Haaland linked to Spanish giants Real Madrid after they decided against signing Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.

Los Blancos have begun the search for Karim Benzema's replacement, signing Brazilian youngster Endrick, despite the fact he won't be able to join until 2024 when he turns 18 years old.

READ: Erling Haaland at Man City: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2022-23

An exit from Man City seems unlikely however, at least in the short-term, as Haaland has begun life in the Premier League with ease, linking up well with Belgian international Kevin de Bruyne.

Haaland has netted 21 Premier League goals in just 15 appearances in the competition, and is well on his way to breaking the division's record for goals in a single campaign.

But, Guardiola has stated that he won't get in the way of players who wish to leave, as seen with the summer departures of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling.

What has Guardiola said?

"Sometimes the players want more, and the club feel it is the right moment to do it. But the most important thing is they leave happy with the club and what they have done," Guardiola revealed.

"Normally when you talk about transfers in Spain, Germany, England it is 10 per cent more. It happens and we know it. It happens because they are really good. They are the best ages and their best years are maybe coming now. That's why they have value in the market.

"Chelsea and Arsenal have paid the money that is fair, and the discussions were perfect, Txiki [Begiristain] told me. Good for both sides and really friendly."

If Haaland does show a desire to leave Man City, the club will be keen to avoid a similar scenario to what happened with the Norwegian forward at Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl admitted to Sport Bild: "As much as we always loved Haaland and he was successful with us, in the end, he became a burden on the dressing room, the club and the whole environment."

Haaland's current contract at Man City runs until June, 2027.