Transfer Rumor: Joan Laporta Eyeing a Sensational Swoop for Goal Machine Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland is enjoying life at Manchester City, scoring goals for fun. So, to think that his association with the blue side of Manchester might come to a premature end is unfathomable. However, that’s exactly what some media outlets are claiming, as Barcelona show interest in acquiring the prodigious Norwegian

According to SPORT, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is keen on bringing Erling Haaland to Catalonia. The media outlet went as far as to say that Laporta is willing to do anything to acquire Haaland next season or 2026 in order to compete with Real Madrid’s big-money signings of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. Signing Erling Haaland would be huge for the Catalan giants, but they would need to get their finances in check before thinking of acquiring Haaland. The Blaugrana are in the midst of Camp Nou’s renovation, which could take another year. Moreover, the club is still reeling from the financial mismanagement of the Josep Bartomeu era. 

Since joining Manchester City in 2022, Erling Haaland has established himself as one of the best players in the world. In his very first season in the Premier League, the 24-year-old broke the league’s single-season goalscoring record by netting 36 times in the 2022/23 season. He also clinched the coveted treble that season – winning the Prem, Champions League and FA Cup. However, Haaland’s form dipped – by his standards – last season. Despite that, the Norwegian managed to win Prem’s Golden Boot for the second season running after scoring 27 times last season.  

While 27 goals in a single Premier League is no joke, Haaland visibly looked tired during the back end of last season. But after a summer of rest and recuperation, the Norwegian is back to his best. He has already scored 10 goals in seven Premier League games. Moreover, he has also become Norway’s all-time leading goalscorer. Therefore, the Cityzens are blessed to have Haaland in their team. However, Erling Haaland's contract with Manchester City runs until 2027, but with no extension talks on the horizon, the rumor mill is buzzing. Many believe that Haaland wants to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimović by moving across countries and testing himself in different leagues. And Haaland’s most likely destination has emerged to be Barcelona.  

The Catalan giants have kicked off the season in style, sitting atop La Liga with 24 points from nine games. Hansi Flick has Barcelona playing dazzling football once again, with young star Lamine Yamal and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski leading the charge in Blaugrana’s resurgence. The Polish marksman has already netted a league-high 10 goals. But at 36 years old, Lewandowski's time at the top is limited, and Barça will soon need a successor. Enter Erling Haaland, the perfect candidate to fill Lewandowski’s boots. 

Laporta has his sights set on bringing Haaland to Camp Nou by the summer of 2026, providing Barcelona with a marquee player to rival Real Madrid’s star duo of Mbappé and Bellingham. Pulling off such a massive deal would be a challenge, but if Barca can land Haaland, it could elevate them back to the pinnacle of European football. The 24-year-old is a proven goal-scoring machine, and his arrival would undoubtedly make Barça a force to be reckoned with once again.