Xavi: Haaland rejected Barcelona & Madrid for money
FT Desk
- 10 May 2022 08:50 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona manager Xavi has hit out at Erling Haaland, remarking that the Norwegian superstar is joining Manchester City for financial reasons.
It was unanimously reported in every major footballing outlet on Monday that a deal has been done for the Borussia Dortmund striker to join Man City.
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City will pay Haaland’s reported €75 million release clause and give him a five-year contract, with the transfer set to be officially announced in the coming days.
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Virtually every top club in Europe has been interested in signing the 21-year-old, including Manchester United, Bayern Munich and PSG.
But it was Real Madrid, Man City and Barcelona who have for some time been in the lead for his signature.
That meant it was a two-horse race for Haaland, and the 21-year-old eventually chose Man City over Real Madrid.
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According to Xavi, it is pretty clear what his motivations for joining Man City were.
What did Xavi say?
“I will not disrespect other projects,” Xavi said, according to Diario AS.
“We don’t have the only valid project. There are many other successful ones, including City.
“They have titles and great results and they are great competitors.
“However, in the end, if the move happens, it would be primarily for financial reasons. I have no doubt about that.”
It is not clear yet just how much Haaland will earn at Man City. Some reports have claimed he will become the highest-paid player in the Premier League, while others say that he will be paid the same as Man City’s highest earner – Kevin de Bruyne at €437,000 per week.
