Barcelona has decided to shift their focus from pursuing Man City striker Erling Haaland to targeting Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, as per recent reports. The decision comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the 115 charges brought against Manchester City by the Premier League, creating speculation about the future of the club and its players.
Man City’s impressive start to the Premier League season under the guidance of Pep Guardiola has been highlighted by their flawless record of four wins out of four matches against Chelsea, Ipswich Town, West Ham, and Brentford. Erling Haaland has been instrumental in securing these victories, with his recent brace against Brentford taking his tally to nine goals in just four Premier League appearances for Manchester City this season.
The ongoing hearing into the charges against Man City has cast a shadow of doubt over the club’s future, with rumors swirling about potential player departures if the club is found guilty. Despite Haaland being linked to a new contract with Manchester City, negotiations seem to have hit a snag as the Norwegian striker is reportedly adamant about including a relatively low release clause to maintain control over his future.
Barcelona, facing financial constraints, appears poised to abandon their pursuit of Haaland in favor of activating the €80m (£67m) release clause in Viktor Gyokeres’ contract at Sporting Lisbon. The Catalan giants are reportedly looking to strengthen their attacking options in the upcoming summer transfer window and view Gyokeres as a more viable option given the complexities and costs associated with signing Haaland.
According to reports in Spain, Barcelona’s decision to pursue Gyokeres over Haaland has been influenced by the Swedish striker’s impressive goal-scoring record in the Portuguese top flight, which has continued to flourish this season. Despite players at Camp Nou expressing their desire to see Haaland join the club, Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco acknowledge the financial challenges of securing a marquee signing next summer.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is said to be keen on bringing Haaland to the club, while influential players like Pedri are reportedly pushing for his arrival to bolster the team’s attacking prowess. However, the financial constraints facing Barcelona make the prospect of signing a player of Haaland’s caliber a daunting task, prompting the club to explore alternative options like Gyokeres.
Subheadings:
### Barcelona’s Shift in Transfer Strategy
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City’s future, Barcelona has decided to alter their transfer plans and target Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres over Erling Haaland.
### Gyokeres vs. Haaland: A Comparison
The decision to pursue Gyokeres over Haaland is based on the Swedish striker’s impressive goal-scoring record in the Portuguese league and the financial challenges associated with signing Haaland.
### Barcelona’s Future Transfer Plans
Despite players at Camp Nou expressing their desire to see Haaland join the club, Barcelona’s financial constraints may dictate a different approach to strengthening their squad in the upcoming transfer window.