Erling Haaland’s agent and father pictured in Barcelona for transfer talks

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 4 min read

Erling Haaland’s agent and father have both been photographed arriving in Barcelona and being picked up at the city airport by a member of the club’s staff. 

According to spanish newspaper Sport, super agent Mino Raiola and Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, were in the city to discuss a possible transfer for the Borussia Dortmund forward. 

Haaland has been nothing short of remarkable since he made the move from RB Salzburg to Dortmund in January 2020. 

In that period the young striker has bagged an incredible 49 goals and 11 assists in just 49 games for the Bundesliga side. 

READ MORE: Haaland transfer fee set at €180m as Man Utd and Real Madrid target going nowhere this summer

As such, just about every major club in Europe has been linked with the Norway international over the last 12 months. 

According to reports in Germany and England, the two clubs leading the way for Haaland’s signature are Chelsea and Manchester City, while Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich continued to be linked with the striker. 

However, this picture now suggests that Barcelona may have stolen a lead on the competition and could be narrowing in on a deal to sign the Dortmund striker. 

Could Barcelona sign Haaland this summer? 

While Raiola and the player’s father were both pictured in Barcelona, it still remains unlikely that the club will be able to sign Haaland this year. 

Not only are Barcelona in the midst of their own financial troubles at the moment and remain unlikely to be making any major signings this summer, but Dortmund will also demand the very highest fee for the striker if a club tries to sign him in a few months time. 

What seems far more likely is that Haaland’s representatives are speaking to Barcelona and potentially a number of other clubs ahead of the player becoming far more affordable next summer. 

While Dortmund could demand a fee of €180 million for Haaland this summer, the player reportedly has a minimum fee release clause of €75 million that could be activated next summer. Which is when Barca may look to strike.