Erling Haaland has reportedly set his sights on a future move to Barcelona. The striker's camp has made contact with the Catalan club, who view him as a dream target for the summer of 2027.
That is the nub of it, and it is enough to sharpen minds at the Etihad. City are said to be preparing for the possibility of a £169m double deal, with Haaland and a second unnamed player both potentially heading for the exit.
Barcelona's long game
Barcelona's interest is not new. The La Liga side have held a long-standing admiration for Haaland, and the player himself is understood to be keen on the idea. Whether they can fund a deal of that size is another matter entirely, but the lines of communication appear to be open.
City, for their part, are not sitting still. The club are said to be preparing for the possibility of losing the Norwegian, and a £169m double deal would represent a significant chunk of change even by modern standards.
There is no suggestion of a January move. The summer of 2027 is the timeframe being discussed, which gives everyone involved a considerable amount of time to plan — or to worry, depending on your perspective.
Haaland's future has been the subject of speculation almost since the day he arrived, and this latest development will do little to quieten it. For now, though, it remains just that: speculation, with a long lead time attached.