Word stemming from the European media on Thursday points towards increasing optimism at Spanish giants Barcelona when it comes to striking a deal for Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland.
Hitman Haaland, of course, is widely expected to seal a departure from Signal Iduna Park ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
This comes owing to a cut-price release clause in the Norwegian international’s contract, understood to come in around the 75 million euro mark.
A whole host of European football’s biggest clubs, in turn, are expected to express a keen interest in his signature, in a bid to land a player who could well go on to define the post-Messi/Ronaldo generation of football.
The likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid have all been tipped as potential landing spots in the media, with the aforementioned Barcelona, owing to the club’s financial troubles, long labelled little more than an afterthought in the Haaland sweepstakes.
SINSHEIM, GERMANY – JANUARY 22: Erling Haaland in action during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund at PreZero-Arena on January 22, 2022 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images)
As alluded to above, though, if the latest word stemming from the Spanish media is anything to go by, then Barca, nevertheless, remain fully invested on defying the odds, and beating out the competition to land Dortmund’s star man.
Not only that, but, as per renowned Spanish journalist Alfredo Martinez, the Blaugrana are growing increasingly ‘optimistic’ that a deal will ultimately be struck.
Citing sources across the country, Martinez points towards a meeting between Jordi Cruyff, Haaland and none other than Xavi Hernandez this past Tuesday.
Xavi is understood to be playing an active role in Barcelona’s recruitment strategy ahead of the summer, and was keen to lay out his vision for the future in a bid to further entice Haaland towards the Camp Nou.
It now remains to be seen whether those in a position of power in the Catalan capital can scrape together the required funds to satisfy all of the Norwegian, Dortmund and super agent Mino Raiola.
Avanza L’Esportiu que Jordi Cruyff y el mismísimo Xavi se reunieron el martes con Haaland en Alemania. Xavi está participando activamente en la decisión de los nuevos fichajes y se involucra . Me consta el optimismo en el Barcelona con el posible fichaje de Haaland
— Alfredo Martínez (@Alfremartinezz) March 3, 2022
Firing on all cylinders
Any such hopes on the part of Barca when it comes to luring some of the continent’s finest to the club ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, meanwhile, will no doubt have been boosted by their form over the course of the last couple of weeks.
This comes with Xavi’s men having rattled off a trio of impressive victories on the bounce.
On their way to making it seven unbeaten across all competitions, the Blaugrana put four past each of Valencia, Napoli and Athletic Club, to solidify themselves as front-runners to nab La Liga’s final Champions League berth.
Next up for the Catalans this weekend comes a trip to Alicante, to take on Elche on Sunday afternoon.
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