Joan Laporta dreams big: Barça would go for Haaland in 2026

FC Barcelona plans to reinforce its attack in this summer market. However, everything indicates that the possible reinforcements that could arrive at the azulgrana team will be to give depth on the flanks, that is, wingers. The 'center forward' file seems, for now, archived.

And it is that, from the azulgrana sports management, they apparently consider that this demarcation is well covered. First, with Robert Lewandowski, who still has a year of contract with the club and is coming off a stellar season, in which he converted 42 goals, demonstrating that his offensive power remains intact. And second, with Ferran Torres as an alternative: a revulsive who, without being a natural '9', has more than fulfilled and contributed with 19 goals, a not inconsiderable amount.

With this context, it is not surprising that Barça has postponed the incorporation of a top-level center forward for the summer of 2026. A bet that is shaping up as a real blow on the table by the club, which is already working on the arrival of a 'killer' in the area with great sporting and media impact. A dream name that, according to some sources, Joan Laporta would already have marked as a priority objective.

Haaland, Laporta's great objective for the summer of 2026

According to the web portal 'OK Diario', FC Barcelona plans to launch for the signing of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland in 2026. This operation would be supported by several favorable factors, the main one being the salary release that the departure of Lewandowski will entail, currently one of the highest paid players on the culé payroll (approximately €33M gross).

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Erling Haaland, Joan Laporta's definitive signing for FC Barcelona

However, the operation will not be easy. Haaland has just renewed his contract with Manchester City until 2034, in one of the longest agreements recently remembered. Everything indicates that any attempt to sign him will require a colossal economic outlay.

Contractual and economic obstacles to sign the 'Android'

According to 'The Guardian', 'The Android' will receive about €30M annually, an astronomical amount. Added to this, as published by 'The Athletic', his termination clause would not be active until 2029, and although exact numbers have not been revealed, the amount is expected to be high enough to deter any interested team.

Therefore, if Barcelona wants to sign Haaland before that date, they will have to negotiate directly with City, and it is estimated that the transfer would not be less than 100 'kilos'. Even so, from the azulgrana dome they trust in the attractiveness of the sports project led by Hansi Flick, as well as in the prestige of the Catalan team, two elements that could seduce the Norwegian.

A financially reinforced Barça to face a 'top' signing

At an economic level, Barcelona also hopes to have the approval of LaLiga to activate the sale of assets linked to the VIP seats, which would allow operating within the 1:1 rule in the market. In addition, the return to the Camp Nou, scheduled for next season, could skyrocket revenues from 'ticketing', and, together with the contracts with Nike and Spotify, provide the combined of the Ciudad Condal with the financial muscle necessary to face an operation of this caliber.

Now it only remains to be seen if Barça finally launches for Erling Haaland and if he accepts to be the successor of Lewandowski. A role of enormous weight in which other names have also been valued such as Alexander Isak (Newcastle), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP), or even more speculative options such as Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid).