Pep Guardiola says he wants Erling Haaland to stay at Manchester City for a decade, as he prepares to start the striker for the first time in two months at Brentford on Monday night.

Haaland is fit again after a foot injury and ready to lead another late-season Man City title charge.

City can move level with Arsenal and within two points of leaders Liverpool with a win on Monday, and would still have a game in hand over both.

Reports in Spain have suggested that Haaland is unsettled, amid links with Real Madrid, but Guardiola insists 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.”

City are expected to offer Haaland a new contract.

Guardiola said: “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.

“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.”