According to recent reports, La Liga giants FC Barcelona have outlined a ‘defined plan’ to secure the signing of Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian forward from Manchester City remaining their ‘dream signing.’ This ambitious move, although not immediate, signals Barcelona’s intent to bring the prolific striker to Camp Nou in the near future.
Haaland made the high-profile move to Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for a fee of around £51 million, an amount that many considered a bargain at the time. The 24-year-old striker was already regarded as one of the top talents in European football following his time at Borussia Dortmund, where his scoring feats had captured the attention of the football world. However, his success at Manchester City has exceeded expectations, making him arguably one of the best strikers on the planet today.
Since joining City, Haaland has continued to impress, with his remarkable ability to score goals at an astonishing rate. So far in the 2024-2025 season, he has scored 15 goals in just 16 appearances across all competitions. In total, Haaland has found the back of the net 105 times in 114 appearances for Manchester City. His prolific form has been a major factor in City’s continued dominance, and his future at the club is of significant importance to both his current team and the broader footballing world.
Although Haaland’s contract with Manchester City runs until 2027, rumors regarding his potential departure from the club have persisted, especially in light of his growing reputation and continued success. It has been reported that Manchester City are in ongoing talks with the player, aiming to secure him on improved terms in a new contract. Journalist Graeme Bailey recently claimed that Manchester City are “increasingly confident” about reaching an agreement with Haaland to extend his contract, which would also involve changes to the player’s release clause.
According to Bailey, the primary hurdle in discussions has always been the release clause that has been included in Haaland’s previous contracts. City, however, appear to have accepted that such clauses will remain in place, and the focus now is on adjusting the conditions around them. The latest reports suggest that while the release clause will not be eliminated, Manchester City hope to adjust when it becomes active. Specifically, if Haaland agrees to a new deal in the coming weeks or months, it could mean that the release clause would not become active until 2026, instead of 2025 as originally stated. Bailey further notes that although the clause will be a substantial sum, likely in the hundreds of millions, City is not overly concerned because they believe that the clauses will remain prohibitive enough to deter potential suitors.
For Haaland, the presence of release clauses in his contracts is not new, and his representatives have consistently ensured that such clauses are included for the player’s long-term protection. The release clauses, Bailey suggests, are part of Haaland’s broader exit strategy, allowing him the flexibility to move on to new challenges should he wish to do so in the future.
Despite these ongoing contract talks between Haaland and Manchester City, FC Barcelona remains determined to make the Norwegian striker their next marquee signing. The Catalan club has been in search of a top-quality forward to replace Robert Lewandowski, and Haaland has long been identified as the player who could lead Barcelona’s attacking line for years to come. According to a report in Spain, ‘everything indicates’ that Haaland will indeed sign a new contract with Manchester City, but the existence of a substantial exit clause in that contract could prove decisive in shaping his future.
The report suggests that the release clause in Haaland’s new deal would be close to 100 million euros, a figure which, while high, is reportedly “acceptable” for Barcelona. The club’s president, Joan Laporta, has reportedly already devised a “defined plan” for how to recruit Haaland, and he remains Barcelona’s dream signing. However, this move is not expected to happen in the immediate future.
Laporta’s strategy is to wait for the optimal moment to make a move for Haaland, which, according to reports, is not likely to occur until the summer of 2026. With Robert Lewandowski currently secured as Barcelona’s primary offensive reference until 2025, Laporta sees 2026 as the perfect time to make Haaland the focal point of Barcelona’s attack. By that point, Haaland will still be at an ideal age to assume the mantle of leading Barcelona’s offensive line, and his move to the Camp Nou could signal the start of a new era for the club.
One of the key factors in Barcelona’s potential pursuit of Haaland will be the relationship between Joan Laporta and Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimienta. Both Laporta and Pimienta are said to maintain a strong and fluid line of communication, and this rapport is seen as crucial to any potential deal. Laporta is reportedly confident that this positive relationship could be a decisive factor in convincing Haaland to choose Barcelona as his next destination.
Barcelona’s pursuit of Haaland is just one part of their broader strategy to rebuild and strengthen their squad in the coming years. While the club has faced financial challenges in recent seasons, they have been working hard to regain their position at the top of European football. With a vision for the future that includes Haaland as the centerpiece of their attack, Barcelona is hoping that their patience and planning will eventually pay off with one of the most coveted players in world football.
Haaland’s potential move to Barcelona is still a few years away, but it is already creating significant buzz in the football world. Should the deal come to fruition, it would mark one of the biggest transfers in modern football history, and Haaland’s presence in La Liga would undoubtedly have a massive impact on both the Spanish league and European football as a whole. As Barcelona continues to navigate the post-Messi era, the prospect of signing Haaland represents a bold statement of their intentions to reclaim their place as one of Europe’s elite clubs.
In conclusion, while Haaland’s future at Manchester City remains uncertain, with Barcelona working hard to make him their ‘dream signing,’ the timeline for a potential move to the Camp Nou appears to be set for the summer of 2026. With strong relationships in place and an acceptable release clause likely to be included in Haaland’s new contract, the stage is set for what could be one of the most significant transfers in recent memory, should the Norwegian striker eventually choose Barcelona as his next club.