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News
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'Isn't stupid enough' - Pep Guardiola responds to Erling Haaland transfer speculation
Cameron Smith
- 5 Oct 2025 11:01 CDT
- 3 min read
News
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Barcelona view Erling Haaland as a “dream” transfer target.
The Norway superstar has been linked with a move to Camp Nou for several years and reports in Spain speculate that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has identified the 25-year-old as his priority signing for next summer.
Current ETV
Erling Haaland
F (C)
Man City
Erling Haaland
F (C)
Man City
ETV Range
€168.1M - €205.4M
Haaland, who has scored 11 goals in eight games for Man City so far this season, still has nine years remaining on his current contract at the Etihad Stadium, and Guardiola believes he has no intention of departing the club.
Speaking ahead of Man City’s Premier League clash against Brentford on Sunday, Guardiola told reporters (via the Manchester Evening News): “I think Erling isn’t stupid enough to sign something he doesn’t want to accomplish, that is for sure.
“But it's football, who knows what is going to happen. Nobody knows.”
Pep Guardiola provides Erling Haaland transfer update
Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been earmarked as possible destinations for Haaland if he opts to leave Man City, and Guardiola isn’t surprised by the transfer speculation surrounding his star striker.
He added: “Can you tell me one club that wouldn’t dream of Erling Haaland?
“I understand Barcelona dream of Erling, and all the clubs in the world. If Erling would not be with us it would be a dream for Man City [to] have Erling.
“Honestly, I don’t know what is going to happen. I know he has a long contract here, and I think he’s doing really well and scoring a lot of goals.
“I had the feeling the team helps him a lot and gives him a lot of actions where he is able to score a goal.”
In addition to Haaland, former Man City striker Julian Alvarez has also been linked with a move to Barcelona in 2026, with the Blaugrana eager to land a new centre forward as a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
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