EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona have received a firm message about the prospects of the Catalan giants luring Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland to La Liga
Barcelona have been told to forget about trying to sign Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.
Barca presidential candidate Victor Font insists the Spanish club would like to negotiate a deal with City to land Haaland but the striker’s agent Rafaela Pimenta insists no talks have taken place between the two clubs – and that Haaland is going nowhere.
Pimenta said: “We have a lot of respect and admiration for Barcelona. But there hasn’t been any contact whatsoever. With Erling Haaland or with Barcelona’s management, regarding potential transfer targets. Also, because the player renewed his contract a few months ago, he’s very happy at Manchester City.
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“Everything is going very well for him and we really have nothing to discuss about a transfer, when everything is so good at City.”
Font had claimed Barca had held talks with City bosses – and that a deal could be agreed. He said: “Haaland is one of the best centre forwards in the world, without a doubt.
“In the short term, he is not available for signing because he renewed a very long-term contract last year. But personally, I am convinced that these 10-year contracts are rarely fulfilled.
“Anything is possible, and we have to be prepared for a player of this talent, who has said he likes Spain and declared last year that he loves Camp Nou, to make a move.”
Reports in Spain had claimed Font and two members of his management team had met City CEO Ferran Soriano and sporting director Hugo Viana in the team’s Madrid hotel ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash at the Bernabeu. But it’s understood nothing of the sort happened.
The meeting was nothing more significant than Carles Planchant, who works for Font, renewing acquaintances with senior City figures. Planchart, who is good friends with Pep Guardiola, spent nine years working for City before leaving last summer.
Haaland penned a record 10-year deal with City that keeps him at the Etihad until 2034 and City have no intention of selling Haaland – who doesn’t have a buy-out clause in his current deal, but would be worth in the region of £200m.