Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, recently expressed interest in signing Erling Haaland, suggesting the Spanish club could target the prolific Norwegian striker as a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Deco, who made 161 appearances for Barcelona in his playing career, hinted that Haaland could be the answer to Barcelona’s forward needs in the future.
Haaland’s Contract Situation and City Future
Since Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City, his goal-scoring record has been nothing short of remarkable, with 105 goals in 114 appearances.
However, his current contract with the Premier League champions runs until 2027, and speculation has mounted about his future, especially in light of Pep Guardiola’s uncertain position at the club.
Guardiola’s contract expires at the end of this season, and Haaland has reportedly hesitated to commit to a new deal until there is more clarity on the manager’s situation.
If Haaland were to sign an extension with City, it’s expected that his deal would include a clause similar to the one he had with Borussia Dortmund, allowing him to leave if another club’s project entices him.
His agent has previously kept quiet about the details of this clause, but it’s clear that Haaland’s future remains somewhat open.
Deco Weighs In on Haaland’s Quality
While the 24-year-old Haaland has established himself as one of Europe’s top strikers, Deco recognizes the rarity of players like him.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he acknowledged that Haaland is one of the few players capable of replicating Lewandowski’s prolific output, making him a potential candidate for Barcelona in the future.
“Finding a striker like Robert is difficult,” Deco said.
“There are one or two of this level, maybe Haaland or someone else, but there aren’t many players like that around.”
However, Deco emphasized that Barcelona is not yet overly focused on acquiring a new striker, as the team is still committed to maximizing the contributions of Lewandowski, who remains an integral part of their attack.
Deco also expressed confidence that Lewandowski is happy at Barcelona and will continue to perform at a high level as long as the team remains competitive.
Haaland’s Release Clause and Barcelona’s Financial Concerns
Haaland’s release clause at Manchester City is reported to be around £175 million, which decreases each year, making a move more feasible in the future.
However, Barcelona’s financial troubles could complicate any potential deal.
The club is already struggling with wage limits imposed by La Liga, which have made it difficult to register new players.
For example, despite the £45 million signing of Dani Olmo, Barcelona was only able to include him in their squad due to a long-term injury to Andreas Christensen.
Given the club’s precarious financial situation, it seems unlikely that Barcelona could make a move for Haaland in the immediate future.
Deco himself suggested that Barcelona’s current priority is on the present rather than future signings.
Barcelona’s Focus on the Present
“We must focus on what we have to do now, not what we have to do in the future,” Deco remarked.
While Barcelona is already working on future plans, their immediate attention is on maintaining success this season.
The team’s performance in the present will have a significant impact on what the club can do in the future, including any potential moves for players like Haaland.
Deco also praised Lewandowski for his professionalism and consistent level of performance, despite being 36 years old.
“He is one of the best professionals I have ever seen,” Deco added.
“It’s no accident that he has scored so many goals or that he is still performing at such a high level at his age.”
As Barcelona moves forward, securing a top striker like Haaland remains an intriguing prospect, but it will depend on the club’s ability to navigate its financial situation and maintain success on the pitch.
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