Erling Haaland Transfer: Why Barcelona didn’t sign 19-year-old

Erling Haaland Transfer - Why Barcelona didn't sign 19-year-old
Erling Haaland Transfer - Why Barcelona didn't sign 19-year-old

During the January transfer window, the most interesting sought after player in Europe at the age of 19, had moved to Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg for € 20 million. By that time, Erling Haaland has scored 16 goals out of 14 games in Austrian league and 8 goals in UEFA champions league 2019-20 in 6 of Red Bull Salzburg outings

Barcelona have been looking for Suarez replacement that time but chose not to pursue the 19-year old Norwegian. Haaland recent form and the unfortunate injuries in Camp Nou raised questions on decision-making in the Catalan club. Barcelona had opted out in January, because of three reasons.

Reason One: Economic Constraints

During the January transfer window, there was speculation about Barcelona signing for a replacement for their number 9. The Blaugrana have considered Inter Milan’s Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez, who has a 111 million euros release clause.

Borussia Dortmund paid reportedly € 20 million to sign RB Salzburg’s to secure the move, but that was not the only expense that the German team had. Apart from the transfer fee, Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola charged a sum of € 15 million as a premium to sign the 19-year-old striker and Alf-Inge Haaland, the father of Erling, received an amount worth € 10 million for the move to Signal Iduna Park, according to El Desmarque. 

In addition to all the undisclosed expenses, the former RB Salzburg striker will also draw a sum of € 8 million a year as salary from Borussia Dortmund.

Barcelona were trying to secure a Neymar or Martinez transfer, were not interested in paying this considerable amount for a 19-year-old.