• Erling Haaland eyes return after a 2-month injury layoff.
• He aims to lead City in crucial match against Brentford
• Pep Guardiola  wants Haaland to stay in City for a decade.

Pep Guardiola has expressed his desire for Erling Haaland to stay with Manchester City for a decade, as he prepares the striker for his first game in two months against Brentford on Monday night.

Haaland, who has fully recovered from a foot injury, is ready to lead Manchester City’s end-of-season title charge.

With a win on Monday, City could equal Arsenal’s points and be just two points behind the leading team, Liverpool, while still having a game in hand over both.

Despite reports from Spain suggesting that Haaland is unsettled and linked with Real Madrid, Guardiola insists that the 23-year-old Norwegian is happy at City.

“What do you think? That we don’t want Erling to stay here for one decade? Honestly?” Guardiola said. “We want him [to stay] for a long time. We’re in love with him.”

It is anticipated that City will offer Haaland a new contract. “It is always about the desire of the player and the club. He arrived last season. His impact was incredible at the beginning of [this] season, then he had two months injured,” Guardiola said.

“What happens in the future, honestly I don’t know. We are happy to have him. Hopefully, he is happy to be with us.

“You have to ignore it [media speculation]. If someone wants Erling, it’s easy — phone, call and ask. That is what we do to sign someone. It’s not complicated.”

Keep in mind, Haaland made a comeback against Burnley on February 1 where City clinched a comfortable 3-1 victory.

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