FC Barcelona Warned Against Making ‘Harmful Noise’ Amid Haaland Approach And Lack Of Sponsor

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez didn’t give too much away at his prematch press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash with Elche in La Liga, when pushed to comment on his supposed Munich meeting with Erling Haaland.

“I can’t disclose details, but I can only say that we are working for the present the future of the club,” Xavi said. “I can’t say any more, when I can we will be the first to say it.

“But, in this situation [regarding Haaland], I have nothing to say and nothing to announce, only that we are working for the good of the club, for the future and the present. The most important thing is that I have not seen a single player who has said ‘no’ to Barcelona,” Xavi went on. “Of course there are different circumstances, but it makes all the players feel excited at the idea of joining.”

At a supporter’s club dinner later that evening, however, president Joan Laporta denied “that there’s been any type of negotiation for Haaland”.

“That is none of my business,” Laporta remarked as per Xavi’s alleged sit-down with the Norwegian prodigy. “It’s a conversation between sportsmen without any type of negotiation.”

“I have a good relationship with [Mino] Raiola [Haaland’s agent], but if I want a player, I have to speak with their club,” Laporta insisted.

Laporta’s words go against reports that he allegedly offered Haaland a five-year contract of three seasons plus an optional two reaching €195mn ($214mn) in a separate meeting with Raiola.

Haaland would be paid €20mn (€22mn) in the first season, €30mn (€33mn) in the second, €40mn ($44mn) in the third, €50mn ($55mn) in the fourth and €55mn ($60mn) in the fifth term in this case, with around €40mn ($44mn) in commissions to Raiola and Haaland’s father and a €75mn release clause ($82mn) bringing the final amount to some €310mn ($341mn).

While this will be a push given Barca’s debts of over $1.5bn, the club has been advised against making as much noise as it has around the potential deal with Laporta and Xavi also sending out mixed signals.

“Noise is a bad partner in negotiations,” write Sport on Sunday morning, with Laporta’s trip to Monaco to see Raiola and Xavi’s visit to Germany to touch bases with the Norwegian striker better done “in secret” the Catalan paper added.

“Barca is without a sponsor for next season after the resignation of Rakuten and Beko,” it pointed out. “Fifteen days ago it was taken for granted that Spotify would sign and there was even talk of a telematic assembly to approve the agreement. Now the agreement is complicated since the economic offer [has been] reduced. Airing these negotiations ahead of time does more harm than good,” it finished.

Maybe there is something in this given the almost radio silence from the Spanish capital, where Real Madrid are keen on landing both Haaland and his fellow next generation superstar in Kylian Mbappe.

Already bringing a weaker hand to the table in terms of financial clout, Barca can only offer their name and the chance to win the Ballon d’Or in their colors, which is not for nothng.

But they could end up with egg on their face when all is said and done later this summer, and find their number one target running out against them in a Blancos shirt or a blue one of continental rivals such as Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain.