BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 19: Joan Laporta, President of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on May 19, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

Manchester City ace slips away from Joan Laporta and Barcelona following recent renewal

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Star power is something that FC Barcelona always aspires to have, even in times of financial uncertainty. Despite the club clearly having issues with even player registrations recently, the board always keeps an eye on potential transfer targets. However, for Joan Laporta and Barcelona, one player always seemed to stand out.

In an era of football that has evolved past the prime years of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is a new need for global icons to step up. As far as Joan Laporta sees it, a certain striker at Premier League club Manchester City seems to have that potential.

Erling Haaland, the Norwegian ace who has been reaching extraordinary heights in England with his goalscoring capabilities, has long been a target for the Barcelona president. From meeting his former agent Mino Raiola to further inquiring about the possibility of signing him, Laporta has always remained interested in signing him.

Even with the Norwegian striker came to the Spotify Camp Nou to play in a friendly against Barcelona, he received a rather positive ovation from the home fans. For many people, he was the star signing that Laporta’s presidency was always after.

Unfortunately for both the club and Laporta himself, it would appear that Haaland has managed to slip away. As highlighted by SPORT, the 24-year-old forward has recently signed a new 9.5 year contract extension with the Manchester-based side and it will keep him there until he is well past his 30s as well.

A massive deal, considering both the quality of the player and the duration of the contract, and it will likely keep any interested parties away for now. For Barcelona in particular, the only way the club could have possibly funded his transfer at this point would have been below his actual market value.

With this contract, however, there will not be a time for almost a decade where Barcelona could even think of potentially negotiating Manchester City’s asking price down. Moreover, given the club’s difficulties with even registering their own players right now, it would hardly make sense to pursue the former Borussia Dortmund striker at any point right now.

Tags Erling Haaland Erling Haaland Barcelona Erling Haaland contract renewal Manchester City