Erling Haaland is under contract at Manchester City until 2027 but Barcelona president Joan Laporta wants to sign him and beat rivals Real Madrid in the process.
Barcelona are targeting a move for Erling Haaland after the Manchester City star made up his mind on leaving the Premier League champions.
Haaland, 24, is enjoying his third season with City, starting the campaign with 11 goals in 10 games. The Norwegian is happy with his current situation and continues to thrive playing under boss Pep Guardiola, although he’s cast doubt over his long-term future on multiple occasions.
Haaland’s lucrative contract at the Etihad is due to expire in 2027, with City chiefs making attempts to tie him down to a new deal amid his active £175million release. It’s long been believed that Haaland wants to follow a similar career path to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who both showcased their talents across multiple leagues.
Spanish outlet El Nacional reported last week that the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg striker has decided to leave City at the end of this season, notably when boss Guardiola is notably out of contract. Real Madrid are known admirers but bitter rivals Barcelona have now been tipped to make a move, with one man spearheading the operation.
Catalan-based newspaper Sport claim that Barca president Joan Laporta has a bold strategy to entice Haaland. Laporta wants to make a ‘media signing’ before the end of his term in 2026, when Barcelona hope to have been back at the renovated Nou Camp for a full season.
Guardiola’s expected departure is seen as central to the 24-year-old’s desire to change clubs, although Barcelona would need to sort out their financial problems to secure his signature. Haaland reportedly earns a basic salary of £375,000 per week, more than any of Barca’s current squad.
Laporta and co are looking to eventually replace striker Robert Lewandowski, who recently turned 36 and should he fail to play 55 per cent of Barcelona’s matches this season, his contract would expire next June. That’s unlikely, however, as Polish marksman has started all 11 of their games under new manager Hansi Flick, scoring an impressive 12 goals and looking revitalised as Barca sit top of La Liga.
Lewandowski, who enjoyed success working with Flick at former club Bayern Munich, would still only be under contract until June 2026 if he surpasses that appearance threshold. Bayern wanted Haaland to be Lewandowski’s successor before his move City and now it’s Barcelona who hope to make that a reality.
Laporta reportedly wants to bring Haaland to Cataluyna no matter what, while Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger Nico Williams remains a long-term target.
