Barcelona move for Erling Haaland depends on Financial Fair Play
Barcelona are not currently planning on Erling Haaland for next summer, as any activity will depend on their Financial Fair Play situation.
According to Fabrizio Romano on Caught Offside, Barcelona are not thinking about pursuing Erling Haaland next summer despite heavy links. The Blaugrana will have to figure out their Financial Fair Play situation before planning transfers.
Erling Haaland is not a player that any club can afford, even if reports state there is a modest enough release clause in his contract for clubs outside of the Premier League. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are heavily linked, and from the Norwegian’s perspective, the only possible destinations he might prefer if he were to leave Manchester City.
The court case with the Premier League and Pep Guardiola’s future could be a good factor in Haaland’s future. Manchester City are bracing for offers next summer, with Real Madrid and Barcelona the prime contenders.
Barcelona will have to sell several players to afford Haaland amid Financial Fair Play concerns, as they incidentally struggled to even register for summer signing Dani Olmo this summer. Hence, to accommodate a player like the 24-year-old Manchester City star, it would certainly take a monumental effort from them,
Barcelona are also considering Benjamin Sesko as an alternative to Haaland, as the Slovenian international will be an overall cheaper alternative to the Norwegian. However, should they have the chance to sign the 24-year-old Manchester City, they might make an effort. However, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that there is nothing in their pursuit as of now.
Romano said, “Barcelona have been linked with Manchester City’s star player in the Spanish press, but my honest feeling is that predicting what Barca will do now for summer 2025 would be completely made up stuff. It will depend on Financial Fair Play and on how this season goes.”
“It’s still early October. At the club, they’re absolutely not working on this kind of big deals for summer 2025 now. Haaland is only focused on Man City, there’s nothing concrete ongoing at all – I can guarantee that.”
FFP is a big concern for Barcelona
Owing to their financial mess, the Blaugrana have suffered from FFP problems over the last few years. Those obligations were also the reason they were unable to sign top target Nico Williams in the summer and only managed to bring in Olmo.
Hence, the idea of signing Haaland would seem far-fetched for Barcelona at this moment. In another scenario, if Manchester City lose their court case with the Premier League over the 115 charges and suffer a severe punishment, Haaland might be one of the first to leave the club. That could spring a club like Barcelona into action to bring the striker to Camp Nou. But then again, it would need a big financial commitment.