Barcelona pulling strings behind the scenes to sign striker who can rival Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid in potential €120 million deal: Reports
FC Barcelona are reportedly preparing a major move to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, which could set an era-defining rivalry with Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid.
According to El Nacional (via Caught Offside), the Norwegian star is keen on a switch away from the Premier League at the end of the 2024-25 season. As a result, the Blaugranas are keen to remain the favorites to secure his signature.
The potential deal, estimated to be around €120 million, comes as Haaland continues to dominate in the Premier League, picking up from where he left off after his record-breaking campaign last season. With Barca reportedly pulling strings behind the scenes, they aim to bring him to Camp Nou in 2025.
The report suggests that a move to La Liga could entice Erling Haaland, given the possibility of reigniting a Messi-Ronaldo-esque rivalry with Mbappe leading Real Madrid.
While both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Haaland, Barca's pitch could focus on making him the centerpiece of their squad. With Mbappe, Vinícius Jr., and other stars already at Madrid, the Blaugrana might offer Haaland the chance to be the undisputed leader at Camp Nou. Should the deal materialize, it could signal the start of a new era in Spanish football.
Barcelona dealt blow as Dani Olmo ruled out for 4-5 weeks with hamstring injury
Barcelona have suffered a setback with new signing Dani Olmo ruled out for four to five weeks due to a hamstring injury.
The Spanish international was forced off during Barca’s match against Girona on Sunday, leaving coach Hansi Flick concerned. Following tests on Monday morning, the club confirmed in an official statement that Olmo injured his right hamstring.
The statement from the Catalan club read:
“He is expected to be unavailable for about 4 to 5 weeks.”
Olmo's absence is a significant blow, as he had made an impressive start since returning to Barca, netting three goals in his first three games. The forward will now miss key La Liga fixtures against Villarreal, Getafe, Osasuna, Alaves, and Sevilla.
In addition to his domestic absence, Dani Olmo is also a doubt for Barcelona’s Champions League encounters with Monaco, Young Boys, and Bayern Munich. His recovery timeline even casts uncertainty over his availability for the first El Clasico of the season, scheduled for October 27.