Erling Haaland is being framed as more likely to choose Barcelona than Arsenal if he leaves Manchester City, with City’s ongoing uncertainty pushing the story into the market. He has scored 169 goals for City since his 2022 move from Borussia Dortmund, and the interest is still being discussed while he keeps scoring at home.

Barcelona's edge over Arsenal

The strongest line around the chase is simple: Barcelona are now being described as Haaland’s preferred next destination ahead of Arsenal. That sits alongside his output for City, which is still elite, with 5 Premier League goals in 5 appearances this season.

Barcelona’s own position helps explain why they are being taken seriously. They are top of La Liga with 21 points from 7 matches and have won 5 straight league games. Arsenal are second in the Premier League with 12 points from 5 matches, so they are in the frame too, but the pull being attached to Barcelona is the bigger story right now.

Teddy Sheringham added his view on Standard.co.uk, saying: "Arsenal will get first pick even ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid because they are top of the pile at the moment, and they’re only going from strength to strength." He also said Mikel Arteta will have his eye on "at least two or three Manchester City players" and named Haaland among the possibilities.

Bayern's position and City's uncertainty

Bayern München have also been dragged into the conversation, but Christian Falk pushed back on the idea that they are actively chasing Haaland. Speaking to Football365, he said: "It is NOT TRUE: Bayern are keeping an eye on Erling Haaland amid the Premier League’s ongoing case against Manchester City. FC Bayern are focusing on contract talks with their own top striker, Harry Kane."

Falk also said Bayern do not usually pay salaries in the range Haaland is earning in Manchester, which he put at about €35m [£29.8m]. That makes the German route look far less realistic than the Barcelona talk, especially with Harry Kane still central to Bayern’s own plans.

The City side of the story is what keeps everything alive. Manchester City were found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought against them, and their appeal against the Premier League findings is still ongoing. The club are also top of the Premier League with 15 points from 5 matches, so this is not about on-pitch collapse. It is about what happens if the off-field pressure keeps building.

Haaland remains a City player for now, and Barcelona are the club being linked most strongly with any future move. Arsenal are still in the conversation, but the current order has Barcelona first, Arsenal second and Bayern trying to stay out of it.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →