Transfer Update: Joan Laporta keen on bringing Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland to Barcelona amidst Manchester United interest
According to Marca (h/t The Express), Barcelona president Joan Laporta is obsessed with adding Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland to the ranks amidst transfer interest from Manchester United.
The Norwegian international has set the world alight with his goal-scoring numbers since his RB Salzburg days. His relentless nature of scoring goals has caught the eye of quite a lot of clubs, including Barcelona, Manchester City, Man United, and Real Madrid.
However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is keen on bringing Haaland to the Nou Camp. The 59-year-old has apparently developed an obsession from preventing Real Madrid from fielding a front three of Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, and the Dortmund ace. This, however, would count as an obstacle to the Red Devils, who are eager to see the superstar at Old Trafford.
But to the dismay of Premier League clubs, the centre-forward prefers a move to Spain over England, as transfer expert Gianluca di Marzio told Wettfreunde, as quoted by The Express. However, despite all of this, it remains an open race for the Norwegian, who is set to become available for £68million next summer, and nothing is guaranteed until we actually see him donning another team’s jersey- whenever that is in the future.
Who wins the Haaland race?
Man United could use an out-and-out centre-forward. Edinson Cavani is likely to leave in the coming transfer windows, with his contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign. Cristiano Ronaldo cannot lead the line forever while Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford look comfortable out on the wings.
Anthony Martial, on the other hand, wishes to leave the club. Thus, there are no doubts that Haaland will make us better and a force to reckon with in the coming years. Moreover, there is little worry over the obsession of Barcelona president Joan Laporta. He might desire to see the Norwegian in Catalonia colours, but their financial crisis is still something that is going on in the background.
The La Liga club also apparently took a loan to finance the move for Ferran Torres. Thus, they remain a viable contender in the race but would be wise to sort out any financial problems before developing such rich obsessions. 13-time European champions Real Madrid are also in the race, but it remains to be seen whether they go in for the Dortmund star if they land Mbappe too.
Additionally, Man City are also ready to splash the cash to land the son of their former player, Alf-Inge Haaland, as per Sport (h/t Daily Mail). Man United also have their own connections, with Ralf Rangnick also entering into private talks with the player’s representatives. The hierarchy is also apparently ready to do what it takes to sign the Signal Iduna Park star, according to Sport Witness (h/t Manchester Evening News).
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Thus, several clubs are involved in the race, each with different desires and incentives. Haaland is likely to flourish wherever he goes, but one would hope he pulls up the famous red jersey in the Theatre of Dreams next summer.
He is, after all, a player that can change games on his own. At 22, he has several footballing years ahead of him and any investment we make in him could prove to be worth the money and wait.
