Barcelona identify Man City star as dream signing

Manchester City travel to the capital to face Premier League title rivals Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. 

Pep Guardiola’s side have endured a stuttering start to the new domestic season, losing two of their first four matches of the new campaign.

The Citizens were in fine form in the Champions League on Thursday, though, beating Italian champions Napoli 2-0 at The Etihad.

Ahead of their trip to The Emirates, it appears that one of City’s key players has emerged as a target for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

According to Football Insider, Barcelona have identified Erling Haaland as a long-term successor to striker Robert Lewandowski.

The report claims that the Catalan giants have identified the prolific Norwegian as an ideal long-term replacement for Lewandowski, who recently turned 37.

Haaland has scored 130 goals in 151 games for Manchester City (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)

It is claimed that, while the La Liga side have ongoing financial issues, they would love to sign Haaland if the opportunity arose.

In January, the Norway international signed a contract extension that is set to run until the end of the 2033/34 season, and it is claimed that City will therefore demand a fee in excess of £150 million to allow the striker to leave.

Haaland has netted 130 goals in 151 games for City since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, establishing himself as arguably the best striker in Europe.

Having broken a number of records during his first season in England, the Norwegian was marginally less prolific last term.

He has started the new season in fine form, though, scoring six goals in five games for City and also netting five goals for Norway in a 11-1 victory over Moldova over the recent international break.

Despite Barcelona’s interest, the report suggests that Haaland leaving Man City any time soon is unlikely.