Barcelona is apparently planning a transfer attack on Manchester City for Erling Haaland in 2025, with the Liga giants hoping to keep Xavi.
Xavi, a Blaugrana icon, said in January that he will stand down as manager of Camp Nou at the end of the 2023-24 season. Barcelona has now reached the Champions League quarter-finals and reduced the distance on Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the Liga title race, prompting speculation that Xavi may be persuaded to stay.
Barca believe that ambition in the recruitment market will help them to convince their current head coach that more success can be savoured, with Mundo Deportivo claiming that prolific Norwegian striker Haaland will be targeted in the summer of 2025.
Haaland has previously been linked with a move to Madrid, which would see him become another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu, but Barcelona are confident that they can compete for the most sought-after of signatures. Haaland is currently tied to a contract at City through to 2027, but those terms are said to include exit clauses.
Barca are keen to have contingency plans in place for when Robert Lewandowski departs, with the Polish frontman set to turn 36 in August. Haaland would be a suitable long-term replacement and the kind of addition that would help to keep Xavi in the most demanding of coaching roles.
