Date published: Tuesday 4th January 2022 10:59 – Jason Soutar
Mino Raiola – the agent of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland – has a transfer ‘pact’ with Spanish giants Barcelona, according to reports.
A number of clubs around Europe have been linked with a move for the Dortmund scoring sensation including Premier League giants Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
German champions Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also thought to be interested in the Norwegian, alongside Barcelona.
Everton are sliding towards a relegation fight for which they are ill-prepared
Haaland is available for £68m at the end of the season when a release clause in his contract becomes active.
The 21-year-old has netted 76 times in 75 outings for Dortmund and also boasts an impressive record for Norway, scoring 12 in 15.
However, according to Deportes Cuatro (via the Express), the striker’s agent, Raiola, has a ‘pact’ with Barcelona, meaning Haaland will join the La Liga giants if they raise the funds to sign him.
Club president Joan Laporta will be on a mission to raise the necessary money to land the Norwegian superstar as he is Barca’s ‘number one objective’.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta again on Haaland and big signings for next months: “Everybody in the world should get ready, as we are back as big players in the market. Barça are back”. 🔴 #FCB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 3, 2022
Furthermore, Laporta reportedly has a great relationship with super-agent Raiola.
This report has added fuel to the fire linking Haaland with Barca, after AS claimed last week the Norwegian told fans: “I will play here, in Spain”.
Elsewhere, Romelu Lukaku has apologised to the Chelsea supporters after his controversial interview revealing unhappiness at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgium striker fell in hot water with Chelsea after telling Sky Sport Italy last week of his dissatisfaction at the club, just months after his £98million summer transfer from Inter Milan.
“To the fans I’m sorry for the upset that I’ve caused,” Lukaku told Chelsea’s official club website.
“You guys know the connection I have with this club since my teenage years, so I totally understand you guys being upset.
“Obviously it’s up to me now to restore your trust, and I’ll do my best every day to show commitment on the training ground and in games to make sure we win games.
“And also to the manager, my team-mates and the board, I apologise, because I think it was not the right moment, also.
“And I want to move forward from this and make sure that we start winning football games and make sure that I start performing for the team in the best manner.”