Barcelona President Joan Laporta has struck an agreement with super-agent Mino Raiola for the transfer of Borussia Dortmund striker and reported Liverpool target Erling Haaland.
That’s according to Cuatro, who claim Raiola and Laporta have agreed for Haaland to move to Catalunya this summer. The Blaugrana chief has made the Norwegian his top target as he is determined to make the 21-year-old the new figurehead of the Camp Nou attack.
Laporta also has an excellent relationship with Raiola, having remained very close following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s move to Spain in 2009. Now, they met at the recent Golden Boy award ceremony to lay the groundwork for Haaland to wear blue-and-red soon.
The discussions in Turin were successful, with Raiola agreeing with Laporta to seal a deal in the summer market. So, Haaland will play for Barcelona and seal a transfer from Borussia Dortmund, as long as Laporta raises enough funds.
Haaland wants to join a rival club to PSG star Mbappe
Haaland also wishes to join a title-contending side and would prefer to not be at the same club as Kylian Mbappe. The Paris Saint-Germain forward’s likely switch to Real Madrid at the end of the season, therefore, would rule out the Norwegian also becoming a Galactico.
Raiola insists that Haaland and Mbappe will star in a duel akin to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Their duel would also only exist if the two megastars play for fierce rival clubs.
Laporta is confident that Haaland’s aims will see the striker join Barcelona if he can raise the €100m (£83.5m) needed. The sum includes the fee the Blaugrana must pay Borussia Dortmund, plus Raiola and the attacker’s father.
Raiola and Barcelona deal Salah blow over Liverpool transfer desires
Raiola’s agreement with Barcelona President Laporta for Haaland’s transfer is a blow for Liverpool and their star forward Mohamed Salah. That’s because Sky Germany noted last month that the Egyptian wants the Norwegian to join him at Anfield this year.
Salah requested that the Reds make big-name signings during negotiations over his new contract. The Merseysiders are also among the clubs considering targeting the forward.
Liverpool are unlikely to have the financial clout to rival Barcelona and some of Haaland’s alternative transfer suitors. But Jurgen Klopp wants to sign an out-and-out striker, having continued without relying on a recognised centre-forward this season.
Haaland can certainly answer Klopp’s and Salah’s dreams with the Borussia Dortmund ace completing a transfer to Liverpool over Barcelona. The 15-cap international has scored 19 goals in 16 games so far this term. He has also only started 10 of his 11 Bundesliga games.
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