Paul Scholes: Haaland could join Barcelona if Man City are relegated

Paul Scholes has made a surprising prediction about Haaland's future. The former Manchester United midfielder believes that if the striker decides to leave Manchester City, he could eventually join Barcelona, especially if Manchester City were to be relegated due to administrative penalties.

When Paul Scholes appeared on the podcast "The Good, The Bad & The Football," he was asked where the prolific goalscorer might go if Manchester City were relegated. Paul Scholes's answer was direct: "Barcelona. Although he looks like a Real Madrid player. I can totally imagine him wearing the Real Madrid jersey, but he will go to Barcelona."

Haaland's future has once again become a subject of speculation due to Manchester City's issues in the Premier League. The English club is appealing a ruling on financial irregularities and faces potential sporting sanctions, including administrative relegation. If this were to happen, it could change the plans of the team's key star players.

Haaland's contract runs until June 2034, after he extended it for 10 years in January 2025. Furthermore, his contract does not include any release clause. However, such a severe penalty could open up an entirely different scenario.

On the same podcast, Paul Scholes's former Manchester United teammate Nicky Butt also discussed the Norwegian's future and the role of his father, Alf-Inge Haaland: "I would be surprised if his father hasn't already prepared something."

Butt emphasized that the striker's father has always been present throughout his career: "He is everywhere. He even spends half the time in the penalty box. He watches his son play and still wants to steal all the limelight."