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Good Morning FTW, I am so happy that the International break is over so we can get back to the dealings of club football. Borussia Dortmund have a very busy schedule in front of them, with Bundesliga fixtures so important right now to ensure qualification to the Champions League. We also have the little matter of the Champions League quarterfinal knockout tie with Manchester City, and a semi-final in the DFB-Pokal against Holstein Kiel.
However, it seems that future of Borussia Dortmund star striker Erling Haaland is also on the agenda for the remainder of the season. According to ESPN FC, Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge and super-agent Mino Raiola are in Barcelona talking with President Joan Laporta:
Erling Haaland’s father Alf-Inge and agent Mino Raiola have arrived in Barcelona for talks over a possible transfer, sources have confirmed to @moillorens pic.twitter.com/d37jk4YJwD
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 1, 2021
Many other outlets are now picking up this story as the chase for the world’s next best striker continues. Speculation surrounding Haaland’s future will only increase now throughout the summer until a move is made. Dortmund have been steadfast that Haaland is not going anywhere for now, but we know that there is definitely a number being thrown around as Alfie Haaland and Raiola met with Dortmund’s board to see what their asking price was before setting this meeting in Spain. Italian Journalist and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed the parties were in Barcelona and has already issued an update on that discussion:
The meeting between Mino Raiola, Erling Haaland’s father and Joan Laporta has been positive. It was the first contact to discuss about the new Barcelona project - obviously there’s nothing done or advanced, race will be long as many clubs are involved... Barça are in. #FCB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 1, 2021
While Erling Haaland has said that he wants to play in the Premier League, this meeting indicates that Barcelona are a club that he is willing to join which may seem like a bit of a shock given their recent struggles both on and off the pitch. With a reported €1 billion in debt, it will take some interesting financial work by Laporta to raise funds for a transfer this summer. FC Barcelona have spent big on stars like Ousmane Dembele, Phillipe Coutinho, and Antoine Griezmann in an attempt to replace Neymar, but it just has not worked for any of those players in a Barcelona shirt while putting the club into a serious financial bind.
While the potential loss of Haaland this summer would not be a welcome sight for Dortmund supporters, a failure to qualify for Champions League football would make it more difficult to keep the Norwegian striker content in Westphalia. Haaland has simply grown too great too fast in BVB colors and every big club who needs a striker is coming this summer for his signature. Will Dortmund be able to keep Haaland for another season?