Laporta on Haaland move
President Joan Laporta has hinted that the Spanish La Liga club might not be able to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland because of their financial situation.
The Spanish giants are going through a financial crisis right now and they have had to sell key players in order to balance the books.
Manager Xavi Hernandez has been backed during the January transfer window but the Spanish outfit have had to look out for bargains and free transfers.
Erling Haaland is likely to cost around £64m in the summer and the Norwegian international striker is set to demand massive wages as well.
Laporta believes that any signing that threatens the financial future of the club will not be completed and that is the philosophy of Barcelona from now.
Haaland has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City as well, both of whom are well placed financially to complete the transfer.
It is no secret Barcelona need to sign a quality young striker, and Haaland would have been an exceptional acquisition for them.
However, the Dortmund star is set to cost a lot of money and Barcelona will have to move on to more attainable targets.
Furthermore, the Spanish outfit need to improve multiple positions across the pitch and they cannot afford to blow their whole transfer budget on one single player.
Haaland is undoubtedly a world-class player and he would improve Barcelona immensely. However, there are talented young players out there who can be snapped up for bargains and it remains to be seen who Barcelona end up signing eventually.
Liverpool handed Gavi boost
Meanwhile, the Spanish giants are looking to agree on a new contract with a 17-year-old midfielder Gavi, who has been on Liverpool’s radar for months now.
The youngster has 18 months left on his contract and he has turned down a third contract offer from Barcelona.
The news will come as a major boost for the Premier League giants and they will feel that this is a great opportunity for them to swoop in and secure the 17-year-old’s services.
Gavi is immensely talented and he has the potential to develop into a top-class player in the future.
If Liverpool manage to secure his services in the summer, it could prove to be a sensational long term acquisition for them.
Barcelona eyeing Raphinha
Meanwhile, the Spanish giants are looking to improve their wide options and they have identified the Leeds United winger Raphinha as a potential target.
According to reports, the Premier League side have informed Barcelona that the player will not be available on a bargain this summer and the Spanish giants will have to fork out a sum of around €75m if they want to sign the player.
However, if leads are relegated this season, the Brazilian winger will be able to leave for a fee of around €25m.
Raphinha has proven himself in the Premier League since joining the club and he could prove to be a quality addition to Xavi Hernandez’s attack.