Barca know the competitors for Haaland will probably be fierce, with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain additionally within the operating for the Borussia Dortmund man, however president Joan Laporta is decided to carry a star striker to Camp Nou. In the event that they miss out on Haaland, different choices will probably be explored.
Haaland, 21, is predicted to depart Dortmund this summer time when a launch clause reportedly price round €75 million kicks in. Laporta has already held a number of conferences with the ahead’s agent, Mino Raiola, to broach a possible deal.
Coach Xavi Hernandez additionally needs to strengthen the aspect on the again, so to economize for a ahead, Barca have contacted gamers whose contracts are expiring with their respective golf equipment inside the subsequent 18 months.
Sources have confirmed to ESPN that they’ve sounded out strikes for at the very least 5 gamers, together with Chelsea defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso. Azpilicueta and Christensen may signal free of charge in the summertime, however Alonso nonetheless has one yr to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
ESPN first revealed Barca’s curiosity in Azpilicueta, 32, in November. Membership sources are “optimistic” of finalising a deal for the Spain worldwide within the coming months.
The potential arrival of Azpilicueta might be linked to Sergino Dest’s future, too. Barca have been open to provides for the United States worldwide in January, and his performances between now and the tip of the season are prone to dictate his future on the membership.
With Dani Alves suspended for the subsequent two league video games and never registered for the Europa League, Dest may characteristic in Barca’s subsequent 4 matches, a double-header towards Napoli in Europe and league video games at native rivals Espanyol and Valencia.
Barca virtually signed Alonso in January 2021 after he fell out of favour below Frank Lampard. Nonetheless, the appointment of Thomas Tuchel and Barca’s failure to maneuver on Junior Firpo mid-season ended negotiations.
Valencia’s Jose Gaya, who additionally has one yr left on his phrases, stays Barca’s high goal to supply competitors for Jordi Alba at left-back, although, forward of Alonso.
Elsewhere, preliminary talks have additionally taken place relating to a transfer for Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, who’s within the remaining six months of his deal in Italy, though some sources counsel a deal is proving troublesome. Different midfield choices are additionally on the desk.
Barca’s gross debt stood at round €1.4 billion when Laporta returned to the presidency final March, however a €500 million mortgage enabled them to redistribute that debt over an extended size of time, whereas they’ve additionally knocked a major sum of money off the wage invoice by means of participant exits and wage reductions.
Philippe Coutinho agreed a considerable wage minimize to hitch Aston Villa on mortgage, whereas Samuel Umtiti additionally took a success to his instant wage as a part of a contract extension in January. That allowed Barca to make 4 signings final month, together with spending €55m on Ferran Torres.
In the meantime, the membership hope to announce a new sponsorship deal with Spotify within the coming days, with a number of gamers additionally set to depart in the summertime, all components that might assist elevate funds for the signing of a top-level No. 9.