Former Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta believes Erling Haaland would be a natural fit at Camp Nou should the Norwegian striker choose to walk away from Manchester City.

Mendieta made his views known in a conversation with Casinolyze, with speculation about City's key players intensifying in the wake of an independent commission verdict related to the club's Premier League financial charges.

While the former Spain international acknowledged that both Barcelona and Real Madrid possess the financial muscle to land a player of Haaland's standing, he insisted that Barcelona's style of play makes them the more compelling destination for the striker.

"Erling Haaland's future is interesting," Mendieta said. "Let's see how things pan out at Man City and whether it turns out to be successful. Players like Haaland want to win trophies. I agree that if he moves, which could happen, the price tag will be massive — certainly not below a hundred million. That is just the way it is."

Mendieta pointed to Haaland's movement and physical dominance in the penalty area as attributes that would thrive under manager Hansi Flick's tactical approach at Barcelona.

"I could imagine him at both Madrid and Barça," he added. "However, I sense that Barça's style would be better for him, and perhaps better for the club too. The way he makes those runs and his power in the box suits the Hansi Flick style quite well."

The former midfielder was equally clear that a prolonged trophy drought at City would be enough to push Haaland toward the exit door. "He is still very young and very ambitious. He won't want to stay at a club where they aren't winning trophies," Mendieta warned.

Any move for Haaland would come with a monumental price tag — Mendieta estimates the fee would comfortably exceed £100 million, reflecting the striker's status as one of the most coveted forwards in world football.