Barcelona and Real Madrid have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Manchester City attacking mainstay Erling Haaland.

Despite signing a new long-term deal with Manchester City at the start of the year, Erling Haaland continues to be linked with moves to the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Spanish giants are keen on his signature as they look to significantly bolster their attack, but they might not be able to get their hands on the 25-year-old striker anytime soon.

According to Dean Jones via TEAMtalk, Haaland could end up joining Barcelona in the future, but he is unlikely to make that move next summer. With Pep Guardiola set to continue at the club and the Norwegian international penning a new long-term deal, he will continue at Manchester City beyond this season.

The 25-year-old striker joined Manchester City in the summer of 2022 in a deal worth €60 million, and he has not looked back since. Haaland has scored goals for fun, and he is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the world.

Given how consistent Erling Haaland is in the final third, interest in his services from the biggest clubs is not a surprise. However, he penned a new nine-year deal until 2034 on a whopping £525,000 per week, and Manchester City have full control over his future.

Apart from his extension, even Guardiola penned a deal until 2027. Jones feels Haaland will certainly not be going anywhere as long as the Spanish manager is around. While he is a dream target for Barcelona to replace veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, the Catalan giants will have to wait for the opportunity to try and sign him.

Dean Jones’s take on Barcelona signing Erling Haaland

The TEAMtalk insider said, “The Haaland-Barcelona links are inevitable as we start to hear about potential Lewandowski replacements at the end of the season. I do think there is a chance he ends up there one day but I do not get the impression it would be at the end of this season.

“The fact Pep Guardiola extended his deal to 2027 is very important – even beyond the fact Haaland himself has recently signed a very long contract extension. He loves it at City and while I do get the impression Barca can turn his head and eventually become the club that lures him away, it would be surprising for it to happen while Guardiola is still in Manchester.”

Real Madrid are also keen on Haaland

Apart from Barcelona, even Real Madrid are keen on signing Erling Haaland. Florentino Perez dreams of having Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in the same XI. While they do have the financial strength to secure his services next summer, the player is unlikely to be available.

While speaking on the Inside Track podcast,  said, “No, it’s highly unlikely. I think he’d be a dream signing for almost any club, Haaland, and Man City are lucky enough to have him. He signed a new long-term contract extension last year to keep him at the Etihad until 2034, and City don’t want to lose their star man.

“We know how important he is to City with five goals in four Premier League games so far this season. He is arguably the best striker in Europe, his figures tell you that, so City don’t want to lose him. But look, Haaland is a happy man. City are happy with Haaland as well. So unless Haaland has a change of heart and wants to go and try something new, don’t see him leaving the Etihad Stadium anytime soon.”

Los Blancos do have him as a dream target, just like some other top clubs in Europe, but his new deal means the door is closed for now, and it won’t open unless Haaland asks for a move away from the club. Even if he does push for an exit in the future, the team in white will have to battle a host of top clubs to try and land the 25-year-old.