Xavi adds fuel to Haaland transfer fire
FT Desk
- 9 Mar 2022 18:38 GMT
- 3 min read
Barcelona manager Xavi has added further fuel to the fire regarding Erling Haaland’s potential transfer to the club this summer.
The last 24 hours have been dominated by reports that Haaland has agreed to sign for Barca this summer.
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Sport reported on Tuesday that Haaland met with Xavi in Munich last week and was impressed by the project that the former midfielder is building there.
Haaland believes that Barcelona are building a fantastic young team and wishes to be part of it. He also is confident that Xavi will help improve him as a player.
OPINION: Why Haaland choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid makes perfect sense
It has been reported the total cost of the operation will be an incredible €310 million.
The Catalans will pay Borussia Dortmund the €75m release clause in Haaland’s contract, as well as €40m in commissions to the player’s agent Mino Raiola and father Alf-Inge Haaland.
Barcelona will hand Haaland a five-year contract which will see the Norway international earn €195m over that time.
And Xavi has done nothing to quell the rumours ahead of Barcelona’s Europa League match against Galatasaray on Thursday.
What did Xavi say?
“I've seen no player who said 'no' to Barcelona,” he told reporters.
“It’s always a good moment to sign for Barca. It’s the best club in the world.
“When you can talk to any player, you tell him what's here, our way of playing, of training... let him know that this is the best club, the city is wonderful”.
Haaland is set to leave Dortmund at the end of the season when his €75m release clause is activated.
Until the last few days, Real Madrid and Manchester City had been considered the favourites to sign him but Barcelona have now jumped above them.
