Mino Raiola has met with Barcelona president Joan Laporta to discuss the possibility of Erling Haaland moving to the Camp Nou this summer.
Haaland is the most sought-after talent in world football at present with a host of Europe’s elite clubs in contention to secure his signature, the forward having scored 49 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions since signing for Borussia Dortmund.
The Norway international has been linked with moves to Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in recent months, though Barcelona appear to have made progress in the race to secure his signing after holding talks with the player’s representatives.
Haaland’s agent and father, Alfe-Inge, have flown to Barcelona for talks, with the Daily Mail reporting the pair were picked up from the airport by Laporta’s assistant.
Laporta was elected as Barcelona president last month and has begun a second term in charge of the Catalan club, having previously overseen the running of the Spanish giants between 2003 and 2010.
The club had appeared as outsiders in the race for Haaland given the concerning financial situation at the Camp Nou, though the talks with Raiola and Haaland senior indicate the finances are there to complete a statement signing.
The report says that Laporta and new director of football, Mateu Alemany, spoke with the 20-year-old’s representatives in a bid to convince them of Barcelona’s sporting project following a disappointing recent period.
Haaland has a release clause in his contract of €75m, though this will only become active in 2022. There is an increasing expectation that Dortmund could allow the forward to leave this summer however, given the financial difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic and threat of missing out on Champions League qualification.
Dortmund currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga and face an uphill task to secure a top-four finish, with the club reported to have placed a valuation of £154m on the Norwegian.
Read – Six Premier League players who’ve been smashing it on international duty
Read Also – The biggest shock results from the international break: Werner’s horror miss, Ireland’s new low, Dutch fold
