Erling Haaland is going nowhere. Another transfer rumour surfaced on Thursday, this time suggesting the Norwegian is eyeing a move to Barcelona at the end of the season. The dubious claim, shared by the Transfer News account on X, appears to have originated in Spain before being picked up elsewhere.
It's worth remembering that Haaland signed a contract until 2034 only last year. He is 26. He has five goals in five appearances this season, including both in Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League victory at Porto. And Enzo Maresca described him earlier this week as a more 'complete' player and person.
So why the noise? Perhaps because City have just had to put succession planning into practice following Rodri's departure. Several huge figures from the Pep Guardiola era left in the summer, and Maresca has been vocal about the need to look forward.
"When they leave, you need to be good and recruit the next one," he said, recalling how Kevin De Bruyne followed David Silva, Haaland succeeded Sergio Aguero, and Rodri took over from Fernandinho. Aguero was once considered irreplaceable. So was Silva. So was Fernandinho.
Maresca made the same point last month when discussing Rodri's move to Barcelona. The pattern is clear: City don't panic, they plan. And right now, the plan revolves around Haaland.
For now, the only thing Haaland is leaving behind is defenders. Five goals in five games says as much. The rumour mill will keep turning, but City's striker is under contract until 2034 and scoring for fun. That's the reality.