Joan Laporta wants Barça's new era to start with a bang. In August, Camp Nou will reopen its doors completely renovated, and the president's goal is to accompany that historic moment with a high-impact signing.
The name at the top of all plans is Erling Haaland. For Laporta, his signing would not only be a sporting success but a strategic project that would return the club to the global leadership it had for more than a decade.
The situation at City opens an unexpected window
The Norwegian forward no longer feels comfortable at Manchester City. According to sources close to the player's entourage, competitive wear and tear and the departure of key players have created uncertainty. It also doesn't help that Guardiola's project seems to have reached its peak.
Laporta knows this and has already made a move. For weeks, the club has kept discreet contacts with the player's agent. The message is clear: Barça is prepared to make the biggest financial effort in its recent history.
Barça's calculations place the total cost of the signing at around 150 million. This figure includes the player's release clause—estimated at about 90 million euros—and the contract that would be offered.
Haaland would sign for five seasons, with a salary of around 30 million gross annually. That means about 15 million net per season, which would make him one of the highest-paid in the locker room. But without breaking the salary balance established by the sports management.
Camp Nou will be key to sustaining the investment
The reopening of the stadium is more than an architectural issue. The new Camp Nou will be an economic engine capable of generating record revenues. Just in tickets, VIP areas, and season tickets, historic figures are expected.
Haaland's arrival would multiply that impact. With his image, Barça hopes to boost jersey sales, attract new sponsors, and improve international agreements. The operation is justified not only by what it represents on the field but by its immediate commercial potential.
Kylian Mbappé's arrival at Real Madrid has been a wake-up call. The white club has regained media focus, and in Barcelona, they don't want to be left behind. Laporta understands that the only possible response is on the same level of impact.
The idea at the top is clear: if Madrid presents Mbappé at Bernabéu, Barça wants Haaland at Camp Nou. It would be a way to counter the blow and reaffirm that Barça remains a top-tier global club.
Culé economy starts to breathe
After several seasons of adjustments and restrictions, Barça once again has room. The annual budget exceeds 900 million, and revenues have diversified. There is no longer absolute dependence on urgent sales or levers.
Deco and Laporta have designed a structure that allows for operations of this caliber without risking financial viability. Meanwhile, Haaland is the piece that would fit best in this new scenario.
The Norwegian's entourage has heard the proposal and has not dismissed it. City is aware of the situation and fears that their star may want a change of scenery. Meanwhile, Laporta is fine-tuning the final details of an operation that could mark the next five years of European soccer.
Camp Nou awaits fireworks for its reopening. Laporta is determined that the main protagonist of that night will be Erling Haaland.