Bayern Munich chairman Herbert Hainer keeps door open to Erling Haaland move if Manchester City are relegated

Bayern Munich chairman Herbert Hainer says Harry Kane would be his choice for this year’s Ballon d’Or, while refusing to rule out a future move for Erling Haaland if Manchester City are relegated.

Kane’s Bayern team-mate Michael Olise is also among the nominees for the award. Hainer was asked about former Bayern player Thomas Muller’s view that Olise or Kylian Mbappe should win because of the “magic” in their style of play.

“Michael and Harry deserve it. But I would give it to Harry Kane,” Hainer told German newspaper Bild.

“Michael Olise has many more years ahead of him to win the Ballon d’Or.”

Hainer was then questioned about whether Haaland could become a target for Bayern if Manchester City were forced out of the Premier League because of potential sanctions.

“We have an excellent attack with Kane, Olise, Diaz and the others,” he said.

“We scored more than 120 goals last season. So I think we are very well equipped in attack.”

However, Hainer did not completely close the possibility of Bayern pursuing the Norway striker in the longer term, particularly once Kane has left the club.

“If we are talking about the future in a few years, the situation will be different and we will see,” he added.

The discussion comes as Manchester City face the consequences of the Premier League’s case against them. The club was found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League.

Possible sanctions, if Manchester City’s appeal is rejected, include expulsion from the Premier League.

The charges and the decision against the club have prompted questions about the futures of Manchester City’s leading players, should the team be relegated to lower divisions in future seasons.