Barcelona chief Joan Laporta needs Erling Haaland signed first earlier than negotiating an enormous new contract with Lionel Messi, in keeping with reviews. The Norway worldwide has emerged because the membership’s high switch goal. However, with so many high European golf equipment additionally within the combine, a deal gained’t be simple to strike.
Barcelona lately named Laporta as their new president, with the 58-year-old taking on from Josep Maria Bartomeu.
And the Spaniard is set to signal a marquee identify this summer time to mark his second coming, with Haaland in his sights.
The Borussia Dortmund star has loved a terrific marketing campaign on the Westfalenstadion, scoring 31 targets within the Bundesliga and Champions League mixed.
And, now, OkDiario say Laporta needs to signal Haaland earlier than negotiating a brand new contract with Messi.
The Argentina worldwide continues to be linked with a transfer away from Catalonia, with Manchester Metropolis and PSG vying to safe his signature.
In the meanwhile, nevertheless, Barcelona are but to sit down down for talks over an extension.
THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz
Laporta has made it clear he needs Messi to remain. Talking lately, he stated: “I take the chance to say once more that I’ll attempt to persuade Leo (Messi) to stick with us.
“That may be a must-do process, I’ll do all I can. He is aware of it.
“No matter he does will likely be OK however we are going to attempt to make him keep as a result of he’s the very best participant within the historical past of soccer.
“And my apologies Leo, for saying this proper right here and proper now, however you recognize of my love for you, Barca loves you a large number and if this stadium could be full once you play the subsequent recreation I’m positive you would not be capable of depart.”
Barcelona assume that, by signing Haaland, it will be an ace up their sleeve.
It will present they’re keen to offer Messi the sturdy sporting venture he craves, with the 33-year-old decided to win the Champions League as soon as final time.
DON’T MISS
Alex Telles ‘to be used in Man Utd swap deal’
But what in the end occurs stays to be seen, particularly with so many different golf equipment additionally after Haaland.
Manchester United are admirers of the Borussia Dortmund star, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanting poised to lose Edinson Cavani to Boca Juniors on the finish of the marketing campaign.
Publicly, Manchester Metropolis have performed down curiosity.
However, privately, Pep Guardiola would like to signal Haaland as a alternative for Sergio Aguero, whose Etihad exit has already been confirmed.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel sees Haaland as the perfect participant to construct his staff round, particularly after seeing the likes of Timo Werner, Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud misfire.
And Actual Madrid are eager, too, though their precedence seems to be Kylian Mbappe.
In the meantime, talking lately, Mino Raiola claimed that the Dortmund striker was forward of his personal improvement.
“Haaland is in entrance of his personal improvement,” he stated.
“He’s forward of his personal schedule. Perhaps I used to be too cautious after I stated, ‘Oh no, let’s transfer to Dortmund as an alternative of I-don’t-know-where’.
“This boy – I’m 100 per cent satisfied and everyone’s satisfied – can transfer to any membership, wherever he needs, already on this stage. He may have achieved that final 12 months.”
Raiola has beforehand claimed solely 10 golf equipment on the planet have the monetary may to land his consumer.
“It’s apparent that everyone is Erling as a kind of potential new future stars as a result of it is so tough to do what he does at his age at his stage,” he stated.
“He will likely be one of many future stars of the subsequent decade as a result of we see that stars corresponding to Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo and Messi are coming to an age the place everybody asks themselves: ‘How lengthy can we nonetheless take pleasure in them?’ So everyone seems to be in search of the brand new technology.
“Solely a most of 10 golf equipment can afford to purchase [Haaland] and provides the platform you desire to after you’ve got been in Dortmund… and 4 of these golf equipment are in [England].
“I do not assume there is a sports activities director or coach on this planet who would say ‘not ‘.
“It is like saying: ‘Is there a Components 1 staff who wouldn’t be occupied with having Lewis Hamilton?'”
