Revealed: Barcelona 'closely monitoring' Atletico Madrid star

James Shearman

• Updated: 29 Feb 2024 17:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona are 'closely monitoring' Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso's contract situation, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Hermoso's contract is up at the end of the 2023-24 season and there are no signs of him renewing.

The 28-year-old is able to play at centre-back and left-back, and would arrive with La Liga and Champions League experience.

READ MORE: Barcelona’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Indeed, Hermoso was an important part of the Atleti side that won the title in 2020-21, starting 30 out of a possible 38 games.

The key reason that Barca are interested, however, is that they would not need to pay a transfer fee to sign him.

La Blaugrana are in well-documented financial trouble and they no longer have the capacity to sign players for huge sums of money.

Haaland to Barcelona?

Despite Barca's lack of funds, they have held talks with Erling Haaland’s agent over a potential blockbuster move, according to journalist Gerard Romero.

There was a meeting on Wednesday between Haaland’s people and the Catalan club, with reports in Spain indicating that Barcelona will target a world-class star this summer.

Jijante FC states that, even though Barca are in a difficult financial position, the club is “clear” about one of its key objectives of the summer transfer window.

Could Barcelona afford to sign Haaland from Manchester City?

Unsurprisingly, though, the prospect of a deal going further is slim. The financial demands of both Man City and the player are set to be out of Barcelona’s reach.

It is stated that Haaland has a release clause worth €175 million, which is well outside the club’s capacity at present.