Barcelona are reportedly interested in making Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland a high-priority signing in the summer.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, as relayed by the Mirror, Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland has emerged as the number one choice for Ronald Koeman and Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window. Koeman will look to rebuild his team in the summer, with the addition of a star striking option being a top priority.
Barcelona will find it difficult to finance any deals in the summer due to their precarious economic situation that could rule them out of the running for most of the top players available in the market.
Also, the Camp Nou faithful could be without star man Lionel Messi as he looks certain to leave the club after his contract expires in the summer. The Argentine had a falling out with the Barcelona board and it looks increasingly unlikely that Messi will renew his contract, with Pep Guardiola looking to reunite with the star player at Manchester City.
Barcelona let their striker Luiz Suarez join bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in the summer and the Uruguayan is currently the joint top scorer in La Liga alongside former teammate Messi. The Catalans have not been able to find a suitable replacement for Suarez, as both Antoine Griezmann and Martin Braithwaite have failed to make any considerable impact in attack.
Haaland, meanwhile, has been in sensational form this season, with the Norwegian scoring 27 goals in only 25 starts in all competitions this term. His performances in the current campaign for BVB have attracted a host of the top clubs in Europe, with Chelsea reported to be considering a summer bid for him.
The forward’s release clause, of €75 million, will be active at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, thus giving the German team an upper hand in negotiations for the forward in the summer transfer window.
Haaland will be a perfect addition to Koeman’s squad. However, he will be facing tough competition for the Norwegian’s signature from other big clubs around Europe in Chelsea, Manchester City, PSG and arch-rivals Real Madrid. Plus their financial problems also make things difficult as they push to bolster their options.
The Blaugranes could look at other options, in case they fail in their pursuit of the Dortmund striker. Manchester City star Sergio Aguero, Olympique Lyon’s Memphis Depay, both of whom will be free agents at the end of the season are also on Barcelona’s shortlist. Romelu Lukaku of Inter Milan and Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno are other backup choices for Koeman.
It will be interesting to see whether Barcelona will make a push for Haaland once the summer transfer window opens.
M DEPAY
Catalans should be looking for a replacement for Koeman before any players.