PSG emerge as Haaland's preferred destination if Man City face relegation

Erling Haaland would prefer to join Paris Saint-Germain rather than Arsenal if Manchester City are relegated from the Premier League as a consequence of their ongoing financial rules case, according to French outlet Le Parisien.

City were found guilty of breaching 114 of the Premier League’s financial regulations between 2009 and 2018 and remain in turmoil, though the club have appealed the verdict. Relegation is among the most severe punishments available to the independent commission, and should it be imposed, Haaland’s departure from the Etihad would be widely expected.

Arsenal, who are still seeking a world-class centre-forward, have been strongly linked with the 26-year-old since the findings against City became public. However, Le Parisien reports that PSG are currently the frontrunners to sign the Norwegian. The back-to-back Champions League winners — who beat Arsenal in this year’s final — are said to view Haaland as the natural long-term replacement for Ousmane Dembélé, who turns 30 next year and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Separately, Arsenal are reportedly preparing a January bid for RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa. The 21-year-old has caught the eye since joining the Bundesliga club from Club Brugge in August 2024, and German outlet Fussball News claims both Arsenal and Tottenham are among the clubs tracking him ahead of the winter window. Roma, Aston Villa, Newcastle, AC Milan and Inter Milan are also said to have registered interest in the Norway international, who plays alongside Haaland and Martin Ødegaard at international level.

The developments come as Arsenal prepare to return to Premier League action on 10 October against Leeds United at the Emirates, following an international break that has raised several injury concerns within Mikel Arteta’s squad. The Gunners began the 2026/27 season with six consecutive wins across all competitions before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex — a result they have yet to respond to on the pitch.