Barcelona could have a realistic opportunity to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland if the English champions suffer relegation following their ongoing financial investigation. Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes the Norwegian forward could choose the Spanish giants as his next destination if circumstances eventually force him to leave the Etihad Stadium.

Haaland has frequently been linked with Real Madrid because his physical attributes, goalscoring ability and attacking qualities appear well suited to the Spanish club's style of football. However, Scholes believes Barcelona could have a stronger chance of securing his services should Manchester City's situation deteriorate. Although he can easily imagine the striker wearing Real Madrid's famous white shirt, he expects the Barcelona project to be more attractive to the 26-year-old.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes was asked to predict where Haaland might move if Manchester City were removed from the Premier League. The former England international did not hesitate to identify Barcelona as his preferred choice for the striker's potential next club.

Scholes acknowledged that Real Madrid would be an understandable destination for someone with Haaland's qualities. Nevertheless, he maintained that Barcelona would ultimately win the race if the Norwegian became available. His prediction has added another dimension to discussions about the striker's long-term future, particularly because both Spanish clubs have the financial resources and sporting ambitions to attract some of the world's best footballers.

The speculation is connected to Manchester City's continuing legal dispute with the Premier League over allegations of financial misconduct. The English champions have faced numerous accusations relating to financial reporting, disclosure obligations and their cooperation with the league's investigations. A disciplinary commission reportedly found the club responsible for serious financial breaches and several failures to cooperate with investigations. Manchester City subsequently challenged the decision through an appeal, leaving the matter unresolved.

The possibility of relegation would represent a significant development for the club and could have serious consequences for its ability to retain some of its biggest players. Haaland, in particular, would attract considerable attention from Europe's leading teams because of his remarkable goalscoring record and reputation as one of the most dangerous centre-forwards in modern football.

However, Barcelona would face several challenges if they decided to pursue the Norwegian international. Haaland strengthened his commitment to Manchester City by signing a long-term contract in January 2025, extending his agreement with the club until 2034. This arrangement gives City considerable control over his future and means Barcelona could struggle to negotiate an affordable transfer under normal circumstances.

His substantial wages would also create another financial obstacle for the Catalan giants, who have previously encountered difficulties registering players and operating within financial regulations. Even if Manchester City's situation created an opportunity, Barcelona would still need to establish whether they could comfortably accommodate his salary and potential transfer fee without disrupting their wider financial plans.

Scholes was not the only former Manchester United figure to discuss the possibility of Haaland leaving England. His former teammate Nicky Butt also suggested that the striker might already be considering alternative destinations in case Manchester City's circumstances change.

Butt specifically mentioned Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, who remains closely involved in his son's football career and regularly attends his matches. He suggested that it would be surprising if the family had not already considered possible alternatives, given the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City's situation.

Barcelona have reportedly followed Haaland's progress for several years and would likely welcome an opportunity to bring him to the club. His arrival could significantly strengthen their attacking options and provide them with a prolific goalscorer capable of competing for major European honours.

Nevertheless, no transfer agreement has been established, and Haaland's immediate future remains tied to Manchester City. The outcome of the club's appeal and any eventual disciplinary measures will be crucial in determining whether the speculation develops into a genuine transfer possibility.