The Astronomical Demands for Erling Haaland’s Transfer to Barcelona

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Erling Haaland, the 20-year-old Norwegian super striker, is being pursued by Europe’s top clubs, who all seem desperate to seal a deal this summer. With six of the most powerful teams in the world making a play for this football wunderkind, his legendary agent and father already seem to have successfully stirred up a bidding war.

Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland in training with Norway. (Photo: Fotballandslaget)

Haaland has been on a fantastic run of form since the summer of 2019, scoring with ease for RB Salzburg, then Borussia Dortmund. Priced at $180 million by Dortmund, Haaland has Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man City, Man United, and Liverpool as suitors.

How much money does Haaland want from Barcelona?

Last week, Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola and the player’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, met with all the mentioned clubs. Barcelona and Real were the first on the traveling duo’s “bidding tour.” The Spanish La Liga giants were both informed of the financial package they would need to put up so they could sign the Norwegian goal-scoring machine.

Raiola, who’s also working for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, asked to meet Barcelona’s newly elected chairman, Joan Laporta, for brunch on Thursday, then took a private plane to Madrid for a rendezvous with Florentino Perez. According to Gerard Romero, a journalist working for the private Catalonian radio station RAC1, the numbers Raiola and Haaland senior mentioned to Laporta are astounding.

Haaland is reportedly seeking an after-tax yearly wage of $35.5 million, as well as confirmation that Leo Messi will be staying beyond the summer. Besides paying the $180 million transfer fee Dortmund is asking, finalizing the Haaland deal would mean an extra $70 million in agent fees, split between Haaland’s dad and Raiola.

Guardiola: ‘Facing extremely tough times’

It seems like that all of the clubs interested in signing Haaland received similar proposals. At a press conference on Friday, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about the matter, saying the ask may be too high.

“All clubs are facing extremely tough times financially. We can’t afford certain prices,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know what will happen in the summer. It wouldn’t be right speaking about players at such a decisive moment into the season. In the end, there are high chances we won’t sign anyone.”

City is on the hunt for a striker in order to replace Sergio Aguero, 32, who’s leaving the club at the conclusion of the campaign.

Erling Haaland was born in Leeds, where his father spent three seasons as a player (1997-2000) before moving to Manchester City for the next three. Haaland Sr. dropped out of professional football because of injury at the age of 30. Haaland Jr. is nothing like the defensive rock his father was. Haaland scored 49 times for Dortmund in the 50 games he played at the German club. The Norwegian joined from RB Salzburg after his release clause of just $22 million was paid. In just half of the 2019-2020 season, he netted 28 times for Salzburg in just 22 games.

Dortmund’s hopes of qualifying: All bets on Haaland

City will be experiencing Haaland’s greatness first-hand on Tuesday when they face Dortmund in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals in Manchester. Haaland is at +600 for scoring the first goal of the game played in Manchester. The Norwegian didn’t score any goal in his last four official games, but could take revenge on the missed opportunities at the Etihad. A hat-trick from Haaland at the Etihad is at +3400. A goal from the “Baby Faced Killer” anytime during the game is at +250.

City is the favorite to win the game in Manchester. Guardiola’s side is at -300 to put the score in their favor. A draw is at +550, while a Dortmund win is +800. The chances of progressing to the semifinals are high for City too, at -700. Dortmund is at +550.

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