Manchester City striker Erling Haaland “could leave sooner than many think” according to reports, following their poor start to the season under Pep Guardiola.
The Citizens took a 1-0 lead in the final stages of Sunday’s Manchester derby before Manchester United scored twice in the closing stages. Won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City The season started well but their performance has declined sharply in recent weeks, with just one win in their last 11 games.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain in fifth place in the Premier League but arch-rivals Manchester United – Who is ranked 13th in the table – Despite their poor form, they are now just five points behind.
Speaking at the weekend, former Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce claimed he “might see” Pep Guardiola resign if their poor form continues.
pierce told talk about sports: “This is employment, this is a career. You have to be happy in the workplace and he might be counting on one or two close family members who might say, ‘Pep, come on, you’re not the same person anymore. Is it time to leave it?
“Everyone experiences stress in their lives. There’s pressure to pay off your mortgage, pressure from the outside world, you name it, there’s a lot of it.
“In football you carry the hopes and dreams of thousands of people and staff.
“Remember, the people you bring in to work with you are going to lose their jobs.”
Haaland has been one of City’s bright spots this season, taking the Norwegian to 18 goals in 23 games in all competitions despite scoring just once in his past five games.
However, there have been rumors for some time that Haaland’s future and willingness to sign a new contract at Manchester City is linked to Guardiola’s tenure at the club.
Guardiola’s new contract earlier this season was seen as a boon to Haaland’s future, but the longer City’s current turmoil continues, the more uncertain the Norway international’s future becomes.
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A recent report claimed that Haaland was close to finalizing a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, but that included A “secret clause” in case he wants to leave Manchester City in a “bomb transfer” in the future.
However, reports in Spain now claim that Haaland “could leave sooner than many thought” and that the 24-year-old “could be approaching a turning point” for City.
Haaland is “not at all happy” with the current situation under Guardiola and the Norwegian “has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave for a lower price if City fail to qualify for next year’s Champions League”.
It is understood that La Liga giants Barcelona are “particularly attentive” and “if this clause is activated, the striker’s exit price may become a unique opportunity. [Joan] Laporta won’t be willing to give up. “
The report added:
“There is another key factor in Barcelona’s favour: Haaland has expressed on more than one occasion his interest in playing in La Liga, specifically in Spain. Although Real Madrid also seems to be one of the possible destinations, the striker’s The good relationship between the entourage and Laporta, combined with Barcelona’s attractive sporting offer, could tip the balance in Camp Nou’s favour.
