The biggest transfer sagas this summer will be tied to the fates of soccer's two biggest emerging next generation stars in Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
While for Mbappe it is a two-horse race in either choosing to stay at current club Paris Saint Germain, which has reportedly offered him a world record new €1mn ($1.1mn) per week deal, or switch to Real Madrid on a free transfer, Haaland has far more potential suitors prepared to meet his reported €75mn ($82.6mn) release clause at Borussia Dortmund.
The biggest names of course belong to Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG and FC Barcelona. Yet while the first three mentioned outfits will struggle less to pay both the termination fee at Dortmund and commissions to Haaland's agent Mino Raiola and his father Alf-Inge, Haaland is reported by MARCA to prioritize whichever club can help him win the Ballon d'Or.
Barca's first team coach Xavi Hernandez reportedly flew to Munich this week, where Haaland is recovering from injury, to try and sell him the Catalans' sporting project.
Such talk of capturing the sport's highest individual honor awarded by France Football may have been central to their conversation, as Barca know they do not have the same financial clout at this moment in time as the likes of City, PSG and Madrid. Yet they can always point to homegrown talent Lionel Messi winning the best part of seven golden ball gongs in their Blaugrana colors.
Barca president Joan Laporta has also openly courted Raiola, and reports over the last couple of days have suggested that despite their debts hovering around the $1.5bn mark, the La Liga giants can table an offer worth over a whopping €300mn ($330mn) to the Norwegian, his camp and current employers.
In a meeting with Laporta, Raiola allegedly offered Haaland a five-year contract of three seasons plus an optional two reaching €195mn ($214mn). Haaland would be paid €20mn (€22mn) in the first season, €30mn (€33mn) in the second, €40mn ($44mn) in the third, €50mn ($55mn) in the fourth and €55mn ($60mn) in the fifth. Around €40mn ($44mn) in commissions must also be considered, and the €75mn release fee bringing the final amount to some €310mn ($341mn).
Behind closed doors, Laporta is said to be confident that he can pull off the coup. But Barca may have to bite the bullet and finally accept the CVC deal from La Liga to get it over the line.
