The Borussia Dortmund striker is on the transfer wishlist of almost every elite club across Europe. Be it Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, all are interested in signing the 21-year-old hitman.
Barcelona, too, are very much keen on landing the Norwegian international next summer. President Joan Laporta and manager Xavi Hernandez have made him their top priority for the upcoming transfer window as they wish to sign a marquee player to lead the team for the future.
However, they are set to face intense competition from Premier League champions, Manchester City. According to Football Insider (h/t Cat Radio), manager Pep Guardiola is personally pushing the club to sign Haaland in the summer.
The Citizens did not sign a new striker last year after they let Sergio Aguero leave on a free transfer. While Guardiola & co. have got by perfectly well without a recognised striker, the manager is keen on bringing in a traditional No. 9 before next season.
Haaland, to that end, has been identified as the top target. The report states that Manchester City are willing to splash big money to ensure that the striker ends up at the Etihad next summer.
It is being claimed that the champions of England would be ready to pay €80 million to Dortmund for his services while also shelling out a massive €50 million commission to his agent Mino Raiola.
The report further states that Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, who played for Manchester City, is pushing the young striker to join his former employers.
This development could come as a blow for Barcelona’s hopes of signing the ex-RB Salzburg prodigy. The Catalans are in no position to compete financially with clubs like Manchester City and would likely find it difficult to match the offer that the English club are putting together.
So, it remains to be seen if the Blaugrana stand a chance of signing Haaland or get beaten by former boss Guardiola.
