Pep Guardiola Fires Back at Haaland Exit Rumors: 'Erling Isn't Stupid'
Pep Guardiola remains assured that Erling Haaland will stay committed to Manchester City, even as ongoing speculation continues to fuel Barcelona's pursuit of the goal-scoring sensation.
The Catalan club has maintained interest in Haaland for an extended period, as they contemplate life beyond their current striker Robert Lewandowski, whose contract expires this summer—though it includes a 12-month extension clause—and who turned 37 this past August.
Haaland, having netted 318 senior goals across club and international competitions at just 25 years old, represents the ideal successor for Barcelona's ambitions.
"Which club wouldn't fantasize about having Erling Haaland?" Guardiola countered when questioned about the transfer speculation. "I completely understand why Barcelona would dream of Erling, just like every other club worldwide. If Erling weren't part of our squad, it would certainly be Manchester City's dream to secure his services."
City's significant advantage lies in the remarkable ten-year agreement secured last season, binding Haaland to the Manchester outfit through the summer of 2034.
Guardiola implied that Haaland wouldn't have committed to such an extensive contract without genuine intentions to fulfill it.
"What the future holds, truthfully, remains uncertain. I'm aware he has an extended contract with us, and I believe he's performing exceptionally well while finding the net regularly. My impression is that our team provides tremendous support and creates numerous opportunities for him to score," the City boss elaborated.
"I believe Erling possesses too much intelligence to sign an agreement he has no intention of honoring, that's certain. However, in football, predicting what lies ahead is impossible. No one can say for sure."
Haaland Is 'City No Matter What'
Following a gradual decline in his goal tally since his explosive 52-goal debut campaign with City in 2022–23—dropping to 38 in 2023–24 and then 34 in 2024–25—Haaland has launched the current season brilliantly with 11 strikes across his opening eight matches.
This suggests a content player, which aligns with his sentiments when signing his new deal.
"I'm absolutely delighted to have committed to my new contract and to anticipate spending additional years at this exceptional club," Haaland expressed at the time.
"Manchester City represents something special, filled with incredible individuals and passionate fans, creating an atmosphere that brings out everyone's finest qualities.
"I must also express gratitude to Pep, his coaching team, my fellow players and the entire organization, as they've provided immense support over recent years. They've transformed this into such an extraordinary place, and now I am City through and through. My focus remains on continued growth, persistent improvement, and doing everything possible to help us achieve greater success moving forward."