Barcelona chief refuses to close door on sensational Erling Haaland coup | OneFootball

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that nothing is impossible and that the La Liga giants could end up landing Erling Haaland at some point in the future.

Haaland was linked with a possible switch to the Nou Camp in the summer of 2022, when it became apparent the 24-year-old Norwegian would be on the move from Borussia Dortmund, where he had a £53 million release clause.

Manchester City won the race to secure the arrival of the forward and despite long-standing interest from Catalonia and a reported meeting between Haaland and then Barcelona manager Xavi, the Spanish side’s well-documented financial constraints meant they were never going to be able to afford Haaland.

Barcelona signed Ferran Torres from Manchester City midway through the 2021-22 campaign and have established themselves as one of the most dangerous attacking teams in Europe in the last few years, boasting the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski in attack.

Haaland has been a revelation since his arrival in England, winning a historic treble and leading Manchester City to their maiden UEFA Champions League title in his first season at the Etihad Stadium and helping the Blues retain the Premier League title in the 2023-24 term.

Things have looked bleak this time around and changes will come aplenty in the summer when incoming sporting director Hugo Viana backs Pep Guardiola heavily in the transfer market to rebuild and get Manchester City back challenging on all fronts after what has been a sub-standard 2024-25 season.

City sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid last summer and have also seen Cole Palmer and Riyad Mahrez leave in the last 24 months, which is likely to see some additions to their frontline ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

However, Haaland is going nowhere after committing his long-term future to the 2023 treble winners when he signed a historic 10-year contract with Manchester City that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium till the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta was recently pressed on the club’s transfer plans for the years to come and whether the club’s fanbase can expect a signing of the stature of Haaland, who is still to hit his prime after three incredible years in English football.

“Although in life almost nothing is impossible, right now we are not thinking about making an addition of this type, because he has also just renewed his contract,” Laporta said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo and relayed by Sport Witness.

“There will surely be changes in the squad. The opponents will strengthen, and every year we start from scratch. First, we have to assess what we have, as Deco says, with Lamine (Yamal), Raphinha, (Frenkie) de Jong.

“According to what Hansi (Flick) and Deco are saying, positions will be strengthened. Perhaps one per line, but this isn’t the time to reveal who or in what positions.”