Barcelona looking to recreate the 2009 Ibrahimovic-Maxwell deal with Haaland

Ajax’s out-of-contract defender Noussair Mazraoui is set to be the key to Barcelona’s pursuit of landing Erling Haaland in the summer, claims a report from Spanish news outlet SPORT.

Now, it may sound perplexing, to say the very least, but Barcelona have already completed deals of such nature in the past. 

Back when former left-back Maxwell had completed his move to Barcelona in 2009 from Inter, the Catalan team had to also indulge in the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovi. Interestingly, both players were represented by none other than Mino Raiola.

13 years on, and Barcelona are set to recreate the entire tale once again as they are undergoing a similar transition. A transition of signing one of Raiola’s top clients, Erling Haaland.

As relayed by the news publication, the supposed ‘Raiola clause’ sees Mazraoui being the key that unlocks Haaland’s door to Camp Nou.

Although the Morocco international would arrive at zero cost since his contract expires at the end of the season, the super-agent will, in fact, get a hefty commission in his pocket. 

To say these type of deals are common in the football market would be an understatement as Barcelona, themselves, have sanctioned a couple in the past. 

Now, it’s relatively unknown, but apart from the Ibrahimovic-Maxwell deal, Barcelona also agreed to sign Mike van Beijnen on a two-year contract when they acquired Frenkie de Jong from Ajax. Who is Mike van Beijnen you ask? He is the son one Ali Dursun, who happens to be the representative for de Jong.

Interestingly enough, van Beijnen arrived on a free transfer and such were Barcelona’s hopes that a buyout clause of around €100 million was inserted in his contract. Six months later, though, the full-back moved to the Turkish club Genclerbirligi without making a single appearance for the reserve team.