Transfer: Laporta makes Haaland primary target for Barcelona in 2026
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is reportedly ‘obsessed’ to bring Erling Haaland to Camp Nou as the long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski, now 37, is entering the final phase of his contract and is not expected to be handed an extension when his deal expires in 2026.
Despite scoring 42 goals in Barca’s title-winning campaign last season, the Polish forward is expected to move on, leaving the club to search for a new striker.
Haaland as the dream signing
Reports in Spain suggest Laporta has made Haaland his primary target. According to El Nacional, the Manchester City forward has been Laporta’s “obsession since he became president.”
The club chief is confident the prolific Norwegian can eventually be convinced to make the move to La Liga.
Haaland is contracted to City until 2034 and earns a reported £400,000 per week.
His current deal no longer includes the release clauses that were part of his initial terms when he joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, making any pursuit a complex and costly task.
Other options under review
While Haaland remains the priority, Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has also been linked as a possible option for Barcelona in 2026.
The World Cup-winning Argentine is viewed as a more realistic alternative given Barca’s ongoing financial restrictions.
Financial hurdles remain
Barcelona’s well-documented economic struggles raise doubts over the feasibility of a mega deal for Haaland. The club must balance transfer fees, agent commissions, and wages, all while continuing renovations at Camp Nou.
Still, Laporta is said to be unwilling to abandon the idea of signing the Norwegian, viewing him as the ideal figure to lead Barca’s attack into the future.
