Erling Haaland got his first goals of the 2026-27 season with a brace in Friday’s 4-1 win at Selhurst Park. The warnings around him have kept coming anyway.

The reasons are two men no longer at the club. Pep Guardiola confirmed his exit in May and was succeeded by Enzo Maresca on a three-year deal announced on 29 June. Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, then moved to Barcelona on 17 August after seven seasons and 12 major honours at the Etihad. ESPN put the total package at €76.5m with add-ons.

The supply line has gone

Paul Merson used his Sky Sports slot to spell it out, in comments picked up by Sports Illustrated.

“You’re only as good as the players that provide you, and he isn’t going to have that service.”

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The Sky pundit’s summary of what that means for the Norwegian was blunter still.

“If you’re Haaland, you’d be worried.”

Barry expects an eventual exit

Gareth Barry, who won a Premier League title with City in 2011-12, went further. In an interview with Goal, the former England midfielder framed a departure as only a matter of time.

“Erling Haaland leaving Man City one day is inevitable. As much as Haaland’s association with City is really big, and that will keep him there for now, he won’t be rocking the boat like you see a lot of other players doing.”

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The trigger, Barry said, would be trophies drying up.

“I think if City’s dominance does wane a little bit and the trophies aren’t coming in, it will fuel the speculation. It is natural sometimes to want a new challenge, and I’m sure Haaland will be no different.”

Barry backed Arsenal to take advantage this season.

“I think with Rodri going, they’re even less of a threat now to challenge Arsenal.”

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Real Madrid and the 2027 whisper

The specific year most often floated is 2027. TeamTalk transfer insider Dean Jones told the site that “in 2027, there might be more chance Haaland could start to consider a new club”, with Real Madrid framed as the destination and Barcelona ruled out on financial grounds.

Haaland’s contract at City runs until 2034, beIN Sports reported in July. His father Alf-Inge Haaland told the outlet in the same piece that his son is happy at the club, before adding: “you never know what might happen in football.”

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