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Football

15th Oct 2024

European giants set to make huge move for Erling Haaland

Zoe Hodges

They want to mark the re-opening of the Nou Camp in style

After reports over the weekend suggested Erling Haaland has decided on his future away from Manchester City, several European clubs have started planning to make a move for the Norwegian striker.

The Norwegian striker is without doubt one of the best footballers in the world, and is in a league of his own in the Premier League, scoring 73 goals in 73 games.

However, bar the League Cup, the player has already won everything there is to win in England, with the player reportedly looking at his future away from the club, as soon as next summer.

Haaland has scored 11 goals in 10 matches in all competitions so far but his contract is set to expire in 2027.

This all comes as per a report from El Nacional in Spain who claim the 24-year-old is aiming for a move to La Liga with one of the Spanish giants.

Reports suggest that Barcelona are preparing to swoop in to sign the star to coincide with the re-opening of the Nou Camp.

Spanish media outlet Sport are reporting that Barcelona president Joan Laporta wants to bring the Norwegian to Catalonia despite the financial difficulties the club is facing.

The current La Liga leaders are set to open the doors to the new-look Nou Camp at 60 per cent capacity before the end of the year and Laporta wants to celebrate by signing Haaland next summer.

Barcelona opened talks to sign Haaland in 2021 but he opted for a move to Manchester instead in 2022, winning the treble in his first season.

Laporta reportedly has a strong relationship with Haaland’s current agent Rafela Pimenta which could be crucial in securing his signature.

Over the weekend it was revealed that multiple clubs have put million-pound offers on the table for the player, one being a lucrative proposal from Ligue 1 side PSG.

Sources close to the player have said that he has rejected this offer, opting for a higher footballing level over economic appeal.

El Nacional seem confident the player will move on at the end of the season saying he has “already decided what his future will be for next summer” and that he is “ready to take the next big step in his career”.

Barcelona will face competition though from Real Madrid who are eagerly tracking the striker.

Real Madrid, who appear to be rebuilding another squad of Galacticos, are the most likely candidate to sign the Norwegian seeing as the club are currently at the top of European football and have the funds.

As much as Barcelona want the player, their financial troubles may prove too large to overcome.

Man City’s current trial over 115 charges placed against the club for a multitude of alleged financial and operative violations which, at its worst outcome, could see the club booted from the Premier League, is another potential factor in Haaland’s decision to move on.

If the worst was to happen to City many of their players may jump ship, and with Haaland allegedly already considering moving on, it may just speed up his decision.

What looks sure is that El Nacional believe the player is ready to leave England and it looks as though it may be a two horse race to sign the Norwegian.