Barcelona are reportedly keen on signing 21-year-old Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland, with the interest coming straight from Joan Laporta.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Joan Laporta is eager to create a young core of top class players that will serve Barcelona for years to come. As a result, the Barcelona president has earmarked a few players he wishes to sign in the coming transfer windows, with Erling Haaland being one of his targets.
Erling Haaland has the world at his feet despite still being very much in the early years of his career. The 21-year-old’s stock has been skyrocketing ever since his breakout campaign with Red Bull Salzburg two years ago, as after a stunning first half of the 2019/20 season, he earned a move to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
And Haaland has gone from strength to strength at the Signal Iduna Park, becoming a bonafide goal machine. Indeed, in just 64 appearances for the Bundesliga heavyweights, the Norwegian ace has a scintillating tally of 63 goals and 18 assists to show for his efforts. So, it is hardly surprising that the who’s who of European football are after him, including Barcelona.
Ever since Haaland first rose to prominence, it has been suggested that Real Madrid are the likeliest club to sign him, with the Spanish giants still rated as the favourites to land him next year. However, Barcelona now appear to be entering the chase as well.
The Blaugrana’s interest in Haaland is understandable considering neither of Sergio Aguero and Luuk de Jong are expected to last long at the club. In addition, Martin Braithwaite will also likely be offloaded by Barcelona in one of the next two transfer windows.
So, Haaland, to that end, is a viable target who can form a part of the long-term core for Barcelona, with club president Joan Laporta keen on adding him to the first-team squad. In addition, there is interest in Jose Gaya and Dani Olmo as well, which shows the direction the club is heading in.
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Having said that, swooping Haaland over the rest of his suitors might just be a big ask, as Barcelona are firstly not too cash rich nor are they that attractive a prospect right now as some of his other prospective suitors. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Barcelona can somehow manage to land the Norwegian goal machine in due course.
