Xavi chooses his three Haaland alternatives for Barcelona – report

Operation Erling Haaland is very much on the table for Barcelona as they continue to make heads and tails of their budget and financial situation. The entire transfer is expected to cost around an amount upwards of €150 million, inclusive of all bonuses and transfer fee.

Joan Laporta, in a recent interview, stated that their administration would not complete any transfer that could further ruin Barcelona’s economic situation. As such, they have to look for alternatives beforehand.

Javi Miguel has listed the three players Xavi has handpicked as alternatives in the event Haaland is not signed. The first of those players is Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Salah’s contract situation has hit a roadblock recently, with the two parties unable to reach a common base. Liverpool do not want to risk losing the player on free, especially with his market value peaking this season.

He could cost around €60 million, and the report states that the player is open to a move away from Merseyside.

The second choice is Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich star, too, has his fair share of renewal drama going on. With his deal expiring next year, it seems that the Bavarian giants might have to let him leave this summer.

The third choice is Romelu Lukaku. Bought for €100 million+, the Belgian has failed to mirror his Inter Milan form at Chelsea, and has been pushed to a bench role recently.

Moreover, considering Chelsea and Roman Abramovich’s situation, a lot of players would want to cut their losses and take the exit door. With change of administration, it could force the coach to change his plans about the team as well.

With four years still left on his contract, Lukaku is bound to be the most expensive of the aforementioned three.

That said, it seems clear that Barça want to go all guns blazing for a goalscorer in the summer, even if it means letting Haaland leave to another European giant in the process.