Barcelona are plotting a move to sign Erling Haaland from Manchester City in the 2025 summer transfer window.
The Spanish side held talks with Haaland before his move to the Premier League in 2022 and the Norwegian was understood to be receptive to a potential move to the Camp Nou. However, the club’s financial situation made a deal ‘unfeasible’ at that stage.
Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Barcelona have not given up hope of signing Haaland and are creating a long-term plan to bring the 23-year-old to the club.
Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, reportedly met with Barcelona sporting director Deco recently to discuss a potential move and the project at Barcelona.
The idea is for the Spaniards to sign Haaland in 2025, when Robert Lewandowski’s contract with the club expires.
Lewandowski will turn 36 this summer and Barcelona want Haaland to be his long-term replacement. There is optimism that additional revenue generated from the revamped the Spotify Camp Nou can help finance a deal.
Haaland broke a number of records during a superb debut campaign at Manchester City, in which he scored 52 goals in all competitions during the club’s treble-winning season. His 36 league goals set a new record for a single Premier League campaign and earned the forward the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Haaland’s current contract with the Citizens is reported to contain a release clause of around €200m (£171m) for foreign clubs, which can be activated from 2024.
Real Madrid have also been linked with Haaland, though are expected to complete the signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the summer.
