Erling Haaland will sign for FC Barcelona but not by the time his contract with Manchester City ends. Barça wants him next season.
This was confirmed last night on El Chiringuito by its collaborator Jota Jordi:
“Laporta has a very good relationship with Erling Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimienta. He has kept it so in recent times.
Hansi Flick and Deco in a serious conversation with a dark background.
They have very frequent contact, almost every week. What I’m told is that, as of today, the decision is made.
The Three Reasons for Laporta’s Offensive for Haaland
“Barça has activated the plan for Haaland to be Barça’s number 9 next season for three reasons:
“1.-They doubt that Lewandowski can handle seasons of 70 matches as an undisputed starter.
“2.-They doubt, based on what they’re seeing, that Hansi Flick believes Lewandowski can be the starting center forward for these 70 matches. I’m relying on evidence to say this. In the last six matches, he hasn’t played one and in the other five, he was substituted.
“3.-It’s the right time to take Haaland out of Manchester City. We all know the situation at City, the numerous complaints they have and their results.
“The player is also willing and has made the decision to leave.”
Guardiola and Gündogan Have Convinced Him
This is the announcement Jota Jordi made last night on El Chiringuito. MB is in a position to confirm this. The significant influence that Pep Guardiola and Ilkay Gündogan have had on the Norwegian player’s decision-making can be confirmed, too.
They’ve both convinced him that his future is at the new Camp Nou and not at Bernabéu. At Barça, he can lead a project, while at Real Madrid he would just be another one among a mountain of clashing egos.
A bald man with a beard looks on pensively as another man stands out of focus in the foreground during a press conference with UEFA Champions League logos in the background.
Ilkay Gündogan and Pep Guardiola have convinced Haaland to sign for Barça | Getty Images
The fact that the city of Barcelona is bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean has been important. For a Norwegian player who has lived in his country, Salzburg, Dortmund, and Manchester, it’s a compelling reason. He also already has a house in Marbella.
On the other hand, at Barça, he would be Lewandowski’s successor. While at Real Madrid, he would just be another competitor of Mbappé and Vinícius.
A 150-Million-Euro Operation
Haaland’s contract with Manchester City ends in 2027. He has a release clause set at 150 million.