Pedri names Premier League superstar as player he would love at Barcelona
Barcelona midfielder named Manchester City star Erling Haaland when asked to pick up a player from an opposite side he would love to have in his team. The Norwegian striker has had a stellar start to the current season, scoring seven goals in four appearances in the Premier League.
Pedri has also began the 2024-25 on a high note, after winning their first four LaLiga games with Barcelona.
The midfielder said (via ReshadFCB on X):
“A player from an opposite side I want to have in my team? Haaland.”
Erling Haaland was briefly linked to Barcelona in the 2022 summer transfer window, but eventually ended up joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of £52 million. His current contract with the club runs until 2027.
Haaland has been in exceptional form for Manchester City since his arrival, recording 97 goals and 14 assists in 102 appearances for the club across all competitions.
The striker won the European Golden Boot in his debut season with City, and was key to the Sky Blues' historic treble-winning side. He was named the highest goal-scorer for the Premier League for two consecutive seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
While Barcelona are presumably not in a financial condition to sign Erling Haaland at this time, he could be a great signing for the club in the future with Robert Lewandowski's declining form. Although many criticize Haaland for being only a goalscorer, his presence in the penalty box draws defenders to his side, giving other attackers a chance to find spaces to score goals.
"He is a cyborg" - When Pedri chose Erling Haaland as Robert Lewandowski's replacement at Barcelona
Barcelona midfielder Pedri has previously been appreciative of Erling Haaland's capabilities, urging the Catalan giants to sign the Norwegian striker as a longterm replacement for 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski.
In an interview with Twitch streamer Ibai Llanos, Pedri was asked to name his dream signing for Barca. The midfielder stated (via GOAL):
"I would sign [Lionel] Messi if he were 19 or 22 years old, but currently I would sign Haaland. He is a cyborg and scores a lot of goals. Lewandowski is not going to last until he is 60."
Lewandowski has been in great form for Barca since he joined the club in the summer of 2022. In overall 99 appearances for the Catalan giants, the Polish striker scored 63 goals and provided 18 assists. He began the current season on a high, after scoring and assisting in three out La Blaugrana's four wins in LaLiga.
However, at 36 years of age, a decline in form is evident. The Catalan giants signed Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense as a back-up striker for Lewandowski in January 2024, but he joined Real Betis on loan this summer.