Barcelona could afford a remarkable summer move for either Manchester City striker Erling Haaland or Atletico Madrid’s Julián Alvarez, according to former board member Joan Soler.
The claim comes at a very important time for Barcelona on and off the pitch, as President Joan Laporta runs again for the role having overseen the Catalan club face plenty of financial scrutiny – leading to difficulties over La Liga’s salary controls.
On the field, manager Hansi Flick has worked to restore domestic authority and European credibility, with Barcelona trying to be more efficient in attack by using structured pressing and vertical transitions.
But the lack of a long-term, elite No.9 has persisted especially with Robert Lewandowski getting older and Barcelona lacking a strong presence up front in games where the need to have a strong penalty box presence and an aerial threat is crucial.
That context makes the mention of Erling Haaland in particular significant, with the Manchester City striker having registered 153 goals and 28 assists in 184 appearances for the Etihad Stadium club, including 29 goals this season alone.
It is ultimately that form that has seen the Norwegian cement his status as Pep Guardiola’s undisputed first-choice striker, leading to Julian Alvarez seeking a leading role elsewhere by joining Atlético Madrid in August 2024.
In May 2025, Joan Laporta claimed a move for Erling Haaland was “not impossible,” and reports from Spain have since mentioned the Norwegian as the main attacking target for the upcoming 2026 summer transfer window.
Alvarez – who is arguably the more tactically flexible option – has also been considered a top target as Barcelona continue to evaluate his tactical fit and financial feasibility.
Now, former sporting director and member of Laporta’s presidential campaign team Joan Soler – speaking to Cadena Ser as relayed by Sport Witness – has addressed the speculation directly.
“Yes, we could sign players like Julián Álvarez or Haaland. These signings pay for themselves in five years and Barca’s finances are ready for something like this,” he said.
Barcelona’s financial positioning as described by Soler is crucial, with the club ready to invest a significant amount after adjusting and altering their wage structures and amortisation strategies to comply with league regulations.
Soler, however, insisted that the ambition to make a statement signing would respect financial discipline.
“At the end of the day, Barca must be very careful about which signings it makes in terms of the wage bill. We have set ourselves a limit and we are not going to exceed it. We have to sign players at market prices, keeping our salary scales in mind.”
Erling Haaland remains an important part of Pep Guardiola’s plans for Manchester City, and Atlético Madrid would not want to lose Alvarez so early after making such a significant signing. As such, any deal for either player at Barcelona would need substantial financial investment and careful planning.
From Manchester City’s perspective, Erling Haaland is under a lengthy contract until 2034 and is a key part of Guardiola’s plan, both on and off the pitch, with the club viewing him as a cornerstone of their future.
Manchester City has consistently operated with a strong contractual position, showing no signs of preparing for a forced sale. Even though Barcelona’s interest may make headlines, City are unlikely to negotiate unless their valuation and strategic interests are fully met.