Real Madrid planning to hijack Barcelona’s ‘star signing’ for summer 2022

While we are still a quarter of the way through the 2021/22 season, teams, including Barcelona, are already chalking out their strategies for the summer transfer window of 2022.

According to El Nacional, the Catalan giants’ president, Joan Laporta, has made signing Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund his No. 1 priority for the next year. He wants the Norwegian international to be his ‘star signing’ for 2022, after what was a disappointing summer window last time out.

But Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid are ready to play spoilsport and make a move of their own to secure the transfer of Haaland come summer of next year.

It is no secret at this point in time that the 21-year-old is one of the most coveted young strikers in the game, being chased by almost every top club across Europe. Since arriving at Dortmund from RB Salzburg in January last year, Haaland has grown into one of the most lethal forwards in football, plundering 70 goals in just 69 games.

So, the interest in the Dortmund hitman is very much expected. Barcelona are hoping to put to use their good relationship with his agent, Mino Raiola, who could hold the key to where the striker ends up next year, to lure him to Camp Nou.

However, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has his own plans brewing in order to beat the Blaugrana to Haaland’s signing. While Los Blancos have dealt well with the financial crisis arising from Covid, they are still in need of funds in order to complete their renovation project at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish capital club have already invested €279.2million into the revamp of their stadium, but Perez is now seeking a loan of €575million to further invest into the stadium, while possibly using part of the same funds to strengthen the squad, should his request be approved in the board meeting later this month.

Haaland, with his transfer fee, agent commission, salaries, is expected to cost over €100million. So, while he plans to sign Kylian Mbappe from PSG, Perez also wants to bring the Dortmund star to Real Madrid, whom Barca president Laporta views as his top priority for next year.

A big transfer battle could be on the cards for the 21-year-old next year.