Barcelona claim finances ready for Haaland move

Erling Haaland Barcelona transfer talk has resurfaced after former board member Joan Soler claimed the Catalan club could afford to sign the Manchester City striker this summer.

Soler, who recently stepped down alongside Joan Laporta ahead of the upcoming presidential election, told Cadena Ser that Barcelona’s financial position is strong enough to pursue elite forwards such as Haaland or Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez.

The comments have reignited speculation in Spain about a potential blockbuster move.

“Yes, we could sign players like Julián Álvarez or Haaland,” Soler said. “These signings pay for themselves in five years and Barca’s finances are ready for something like this.”

He added that any deal would still respect internal wage limits.

“At the end of the day, Barca must be very careful about which signings it makes in terms of the wage bill. We have set ourselves a limit and we are not going to exceed it.”

Haaland has been central to Manchester City since joining in 2022, scoring 153 goals and registering 28 assists in 184 appearances. This season alone he has contributed 29 goals and seven assists, maintaining his status as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.

His presence at the Etihad was a key factor in Julián Álvarez’s departure to Atlético Madrid in August 2024.

Barcelona have faced financial scrutiny in recent years, operating within strict salary parameters. Soler’s assertion that the club can now contemplate a move of this magnitude suggests confidence in improved revenue streams and cost control.

However, any negotiation would be complex. Manchester City have shown no indication of wanting to sell Haaland, and his contract position would heavily influence valuation.

Having followed City’s squad planning under Pep Guardiola, Haaland remains foundational to their attacking structure. A transfer would likely require a record-breaking fee and a carefully structured financial package.

It remains too early to describe this as a live negotiation rather than a political or strategic statement during an election cycle.

Barcelona’s presidential election may shape transfer messaging in the coming months. For Manchester City, the priority remains performance on the pitch and contract stability. Any serious approach would likely emerge only after the season concludes, and much will depend on both clubs’ strategic direction.

Could Barcelona genuinely fund a move for Haaland, or is this election-season positioning?