Laporta aims to win Barcelona’s elections and wants Haaland as a major reinforcement in Catalonia
Joan Laporta, current president of FC Barcelona, is planning a bold move to secure re-election in 2026: bringing Erling Haaland to Camp Nou as the club’s marquee signing. According to El Nacional, the Norwegian striker has emerged as Laporta’s top transfer priority replacing previous target Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid.
The Barcelona president believes signing Haaland would not only transform the team on the pitch but also sway voter sentiment heavily in his favor as he seeks to extend his leadership of the Catalan club.
A Costly Dream: Haaland’s Transfer Could Exceed €150M
Haaland, 24, is currently under contract with Manchester City until 2033 and has an estimated market value of €150 million. Despite the complexity of the operation, Laporta is reportedly convinced that a combination of revenue generation and strategic player sales could fund the deal ahead of the 2026 elections.
Key to this plan is the return to Camp Nou, which is expected to boost the club’s revenue significantly through increased tourism, ticket sales, and matchday income following renovations.
Big-Name Sales on the Horizon
In order to meet financial fair play regulations and raise funds, Barcelona is preparing to offload several high-value players. Two notable names on the potential transfer list are Ronald Araújo and Gavi, both of whom have reportedly fallen out of favor under head coach Hansi Flick.
Barcelona hopes that strong performances in the 2025/26 season, combined with smart business off the field, will enable them to launch a competitive offer for Haaland next summer.
Historical Precedents: Ronaldinho and Lewandowski Moves
Laporta has a history of using blockbuster signings to bolster both team strength and public support. In 2003, he famously secured Ronaldinho, a transfer that ushered in one of Barcelona’s golden eras. In 2022, he repeated the tactic by landing Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich another move that proved commercially and sportingly successful.
Unlike those deals, however, a transfer for Haaland would be significantly more expensive and far more complicated, especially given his long-term deal with City and the fierce competition from other top European clubs.
