Barcelona have admitted that they may not be able to compete financially to sign Erling Haaland.
Manchester City are in pole position to sign Haaland in the summer, with recent reports suggesting a deal to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker is close. Some reports have claimed City have agreed terms with Haaland, while others suggest they are close to signing him.
MEN Sport understand talk of a deal being set is premature. However, City executives are believed to have met with Haaland’s representatives last month to thrash out a deal, leading to increased hope that the deal will be done.
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Despite that, Barcelona have tried to position themselves as realistic suitors for Haaland, even though they have well-publicised financial difficulties and haven't been able to register new signings since last summer without balancing their finances elsewhere with wage cuts or player exits. Speaking on Sunday, Barca president Joan Laporta said Barcelona do indeed have a limit to their financial capabilities when it comes to signing Haaland.
The Norwegian will be available for a set release clause of around £63m, although wages and agent fees will push the overall spend to a much higher outlay for whoever buys him.
“Even if we had the best financial situation in the world, we wouldn't do some deals for the sake of the club," Laporta told esport3, potentially ruling Barca out of any battle with City. “We won’t complete any deal that puts the club at any further risk.
"We’re working hard and I know the fans are dreaming of some names - but some deals are very difficult. We will not perform any operation that puts the institution in danger, we can’t do it."
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