Mendieta tips Haaland for Barcelona move if Manchester City faces heavy sanctions

Erling Haaland could depart Manchester City for Barcelona should the club be hit with serious penalties after being found to have violated financial regulations, according to former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta. An independent panel found City guilty on 114 of 115 charges after a lengthy case concerning alleged financial breaches across a nine-year span from 2009 to 2018. The Premier League has not yet revealed what sanctions will follow, and Manchester City are readying an appeal. The unresolved situation has prompted speculation over the futures of several of City's top players, Haaland among them, especially if the final punishment affects the club's place in the Premier League or Champions League. The Norway forward has become one of the game's top strikers since joining Manchester City for 51 million in 2022. Haaland has registered 169 goals in 205 matches for the club and is on track to rival Sergio Aguero's mark as City's all-time leading scorer. He has also been seen as a player who could chase Alan Shearer's Premier League record of 260 goals if he stays in England for long enough. Mendieta, however, thinks Haaland would leave the Etihad Stadium if Manchester City were expelled from the Premier League and Champions League because of the financial case. He has named Barcelona as a possible landing spot for the 26-year-old striker if that situation arises. Manchester City have previously been the subject of speculation that any sanctions could involve a major points deduction or relegation, though the Premier League has not confirmed a penalty. City are contesting the independent panel's conclusions, leaving Haaland's future and any possible switch to Barcelona uncertain.