Barcelona Reportedly Plot Move for Erling Haaland for 2026 Transfer
Spanish reports say president Joan Laporta is 'obsessed' with signing the Manchester City striker despite the club’s financial constraints and Haaland’s long-term City contract.
Barcelona are preparing what Spanish reports describe as an audacious attempt to sign Erling Haaland in the summer of 2026, with president Joan Laporta said to be "obsessed" with bringing the Manchester City striker to Catalonia.
El Nacional and other Spanish outlets reported that club chiefs, including sporting director Deco, have made a new centre forward a priority as Robert Lewandowski approaches the end of his contract. Lewandowski, 37, is out of contract on June 30 and his expected departure after three seasons has intensified the search for a long-term successor.
Reports said Barcelona have discussed alternatives such as Julian Álvarez internally, but that Laporta’s principal focus is Haaland. The club reportedly believes inconsistent results at Manchester City could one day prompt a transfer request, a line of thinking that has underpinned the renewed interest despite the scale of any potential deal.
Haaland, described in the reports as a 24-year-old, signed a nine-year contract with Manchester City in January that runs until 2034 and removed release clauses from his previous deal. He is understood to earn in the region of £400,000 a week. Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has scored prolifically, helping Pep Guardiola’s side to back-to-back Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph.
Barcelona’s internal calculations come amid ongoing off-field disruption. The club’s return to a revamped Camp Nou has been repeatedly delayed, forcing home matches at the 6,000-seat Estadi Johan Cruyff and frustrating supporters who have watched the £1.25 billion redevelopment face further setbacks.
On the pitch, coach Hansi Flick has been managing Lewandowski’s minutes after a pre-season injury, while Ferran Torres has provided a run of goals that has raised questions over whether he can lead the line permanently. Those on-board at Barcelona nevertheless see recruitment of a new central striker as essential, and the reports portray Laporta as determined to pursue a high-profile signing.
Financial constraints remain a central hurdle. Haaland’s contract length and reported salary make any transfer and wage package a significant undertaking for a club still navigating strict financial limits imposed in recent years. The reports point to those limitations, but also to Laporta’s optimism that a high-profile acquisition could be feasible should circumstances at Manchester City change.
The story was first flagged by El Nacional and picked up by several outlets. There was no immediate comment from Barcelona or Manchester City when the reports emerged.