Haaland's La Liga admirers are persistent, but the striker is staying put
Real Madrid and Barcelona have wanted Erling Haaland since his Borussia Dortmund days. That's not new. What matters now is whether that interest will pull him away from Manchester City. Fabrizio Romano says City fans need not worry about a quick exit.
On his YouTube channel, Romano said Haaland is "now ready to fight for Man City, with Man City, and focused on Man City completely." He added that if you ask about the present, the 26-year-old is fully committed to the club.
The speculation around City's top stars intensified following the Premier League FFP ruling. That verdict has fuelled talk about the futures of several key players. Some of the rumours have been wild — including Arsenal hoping to land the Norwegian if he ever left the Etihad. Haaland, though, has been clear on his current transfer stance.
Romano acknowledged that Real Madrid and Barcelona "have always been around" for Haaland. He wouldn't be surprised to see him in La Liga one day because those clubs want him and will keep insisting in the future. But that's a future concern, not a present one.
Rather than staying silent after the club's guilty verdict, Haaland has been vocal in urging everyone at City to stick together and stay positive during a difficult time. That's not the behaviour of someone angling for a move.
There were concerns about his fitness for the trip to Anfield after he limped off while playing for his country last weekend. Head coach Enzo Maresca declared the striker ready for selection, easing those worries.
So while Madrid and Barcelona lurk, City's No.9 is focused on the here and now. Romano's message is clear: no quick exit, no panic. Just a player ready to fight for his club.