Barcelona’s plan to sign Haaland revealed

Robin Bairner

• 10 Jan 2024 08:43 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona are hatching an ambitious transfer plan to sign Erling Haaland from Manchester City in the summer, according to a report.

Troubled financially, Barca are not expected to do a great deal of work in the January transfer window having already added Vitor Roque to their ranks on a full-time basis.

But the Camp Nou outfit are determined to better arm themselves for next season after enduring a difficult 2023/24, which presently sees them seven points off the pace in LaLiga, leaving head coach Xavi under pressure.

In particular, they have struggled to score goals compared to their title rivals, with the form of Robert Lewandowski coming under fire.

According to Fichajes, Barca want to solve this problem with an ambitious move to bring Haaland to the club from Manchester City.

Reports in Spain claim that Haaland has a €100 million buy-out option in his City contract that foreign teams are eligible for. While this has been cited as a particular boost for Real Madrid, given they are firmly in the market for a No.9, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is hopeful that his team can profit from the situation.

Laporta to make two sales to fund Haaland deal

Barcelona will have to be clever to attract a player of Haaland’s calibre to the club given the tremendous financial restrictions they are under presently.

Laporta is willing to sacrifice both Raphinha and Ronald Araujo in order to fund a move for the striker, it is claimed.

Raphinha continues to attract interest from the Premier League, where his reputation remains strong after his stint with Leeds United, while central defender Araujo is a player who is increasingly being talked of as someone who could raise Barca valuable funds to strengthen elsewhere in their side.

Even if Barcelona are successful in selling both of these stars, there are still significant questions to be answered over how they could compete with other giants, such as Real Madrid, over Haaland’s wage demands.