Erling Haaland’s agent has downplayed suggestions the Manchester City striker could move to Barcelona if presidential candidate Victor Font claimed victory in Sunday’s election.
Font, who is up against Joan Laporta, suggested he had been in negotiations with City and the player’s camp to try to secure a priority agreement – essentially, first dibs on the Norwegian should he opt to leave the Etihad in the coming years.
Haaland signed a nine-and-half-year contract at City in January last year and appears in no rush to move on.
And his agent Rafaela Pimenta has poured cold water on any potential deal, telling El Chringuito de Jugones: “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.
“Everything is going very well for him and we really have nothing to discuss about a transfer when everything is so good at City.”
Everything is possible – Font remains optimistic over Haaland deal
Font appeared to backtrack slightly when told of Pimenta’s remarks, but still claimed Haaland could end up at Camp Nou in the future.
He told Mundo Deportivo: “In the short term he is not able to sign because he renewed a very long-term contract last year. But personally I am convinced that these 10-year contracts rarely end up being fulfilled.
“Everything is possible and we have to be prepared so that a player of this talent, who has said he likes Spain and declared last year that he loves Camp Nou, can make a move.”
Haaland’s financial demands would scupper any deal in the immediate future. Even though Barca have balanced the books following their much-publicised financial worries, they are not yet in a position to match the reported £500,000-a-week wages Haaland receives at City.
Haaland is enjoying another productive season for Pep Guardiola’s side. He has scored 22 goals in the Premier League and another seven in the Champions League.
He joined City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022 and has helped the club to two Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League crown.
