The Scandi striker has apparently bought a property in Spain in the last year – and may have even agreed to move to Barcelona already, following more reports from the Spanish press.
Could Barcelona be about to sign Erling Haaland? (Image credit: Getty Images)
Mundo Deportivo have laid out the 'roadmap' of Haaland moving to Camp Nou, stating that it's the Catalans' desire to secure the Manchester City star in 2025 after Robert Lewandowski has gone.
“[Haaland] began contacts [in] April 2021, when his father and agent [at the time, the late] Mino Raiola, travelled to Barcelona on a private jet to learn about Barça's sports project, before flying to Madrid the same afternoon,” the report states. “The next day they travelled to England, where he also visited Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
“Months later, in the summer of 2021, in which Leo Messi ended up leaving Barça, Haaland finally [agreed to remain] at Dortmund for another year. However, the Norwegian said ‘yes’ to Barça for the following season,” the report continues. “In fact, in March 2022, Xavi Hernandez travelled to Munich to meet with him in person and finish explaining the project. The Scandinavian was very excited about the prospect of wearing the Barcelona shirt.’’
Mino Raiola apparently took the Haalands on a tour around Europe to drum up interest in a megamoney move for the Norwegian (Image credit: Getty)
Mundo Deportivo explain that ultimately the move was abandoned due to financial constraints, with fellow Bundesliga hitman Lewandowski favoured. But the interest from Barcelona's side is still there.
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“Last month there was a new approach, with the visit of his current agent, Rafaela Pimenta, to Barcelona, where she met with the current Barça sports director, Deco,” according to Mundo Deportivo.
In FourFourTwo's view, the move could certainly have been on the cards a couple of seasons ago – but right now, it seems unlikely that Barcelona could afford Haaland, even at the reduced price on offer to foreign clubs. It seems like wishful thinking that any Spanish club could so much as compete with the money of Manchester City right now.
Lewandowski has been inextricably linked with Haaland (Image credit: Getty Images)
It's been reported that there is a €200 million release clause in operation, should a Premier League side wish to sign the striker, though this could be significantly lower for overseas sides. Still, even if Haaland were to cost half of that, there's no guarantee that Barcelona would be able to match the salary expectations and associated fees with signing a player whose stock has only risen since his Premier League move.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
