FC Barcelona keeps moving discreetly in the market, but there's one name that overshadows everything. After months of speculation, leaks, and rumors, the first details of the most desired operation are starting to emerge. Joan Laporta and Deco are working quietly to finalize a signing that could change the club's recent history.
The blaugrana attack needs a game-changing move after years of wear and tear from Robert Lewandowski. The Polish footballer has performed at a high level, but at 37 years old, his time at the top is nearing its end. Hansi Flick and the sporting management consider it essential to bring in a player who will usher in a new era.
A move that surpasses any previous signing
In recent years, Barça had prioritized strategic signings of young talents like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, or Fermín López. However, the current context demands something different: a superstar capable of becoming an immediate icon. That's why the planning points to an unprecedented investment to strengthen the attack.
The club insists there won't be any improvisation or reckless spending without financial backing. Barça is cleaning up its accounts through sales, salary adjustments, and international commercial agreements. Everything is part of a plan to open up enough financial space before making the big move.
Harry Kane's name appeared as a short-term alternative, and even Julián Álvarez was on the agenda. But both profiles are considered transitional bets that don't guarantee a decade of offensive dominance. Instead, the real option points to a player who is both young and already established.
The Laporta-Deco plan: a strategic investment
The key to the operation is preparing the arrival at the right moment, without rushing. Sources close to the matter confirm that Barça wants to finalize everything for 2026, coinciding with the end of Lewandowski's cycle. That would allow for an orderly transition, without spending a year without a reference striker.
The operation is also justified from the perspective of global impact. A signing of this caliber would multiply revenue from sponsorships, marketing, and jersey sales worldwide. In addition, it would strengthen the club's international prestige, restoring its image as a club capable of attracting the best.
For Deco, this is a calculated risk. The sporting director believes that no signing, not even several promising players, would have such an immediate return as this one. The board also sees it as a move to restore excitement after years of rebuilding.
Price and salary: the figures of the operation
The cost of the signing would far exceed €100 million, making it the most expensive operation in blaugrana history. The club is aware that it will have to negotiate with a European giant and that the bidding will be complex. Even so, Laporta trusts the club's ability to attract the player with a convincing sporting project.
As for the salary, the figures are truly staggering. It is estimated that the striker would earn between €20 and €25 million gross per season, a contract that would place him at the top of the club's salary scale. To make this possible, Barça is preparing a restructuring of contracts and possible strategic sales.
The footballer, meanwhile, is already aware of the interest and isn't ruling it out. His camp values the opportunity to lead a project that combines youth and ambition. In addition, the appeal of playing in the renovated Camp Nou and sharing a locker room with future stars is highly enticing.
Finally, all signs point to the same name: Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker, who has already shattered records in England, is the top target. At Barça, they see him as the perfect replacement for Lewandowski and the signing that would define an era.
The fans are starting to get excited about the possibility of seeing the goal scorer wearing blaugrana. Although the operation isn't imminent, plans are already underway to prepare for his arrival. If it happens, Barça will have achieved what once seemed impossible: bringing the best striker in the world to Camp Nou.