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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Coach planning on stepping down this summer</li><li>Recruitment may lead to a change of heart</li><li>Lewandowski replacement required at Camp Nou</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Erling Haaland to Barcelona?! La Liga giants plot transfer raid on Man City in elaborate bid to prevent Xavi from stepping down as manager

Premier League

Manchester City

West Ham

LaLiga

Barcelona

Rayo Vallecano

Back in January, Blaugrana legend <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/xavi-quit-barcelona-manager-confirms-leaving-end-of-season-in-shock-announcement-after-catalans-ship-five-villarreal/blt5e11dda249a33995" target="_blank">Xavi stated his intention to step down as manager at Camp Nou</a> when the 2023-24 campaign comes to a close. Barca have since reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and closed the gap on Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the Liga title race, leading to suggestions that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-xavi-stay-barcelona-vice-president-convince-coach/blt5258a191ec5db233" target="_blank">Xavi could be talked into staying put</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Barca believe that ambition in the recruitment market will help them to convince their current head coach that more success can be savoured, with <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20240402/1002220086/barca-plan-xavi-detalles.html#google_vignette " target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo</a> claiming that prolific Norwegian striker Haaland will be targeted in the summer of 2025.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Haaland has previously been linked with a move to Madrid, which would see him <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/200m-real-madrid-erling-haaland-transfer-cost-warning-prediction-man-city-galactico-kylian-mbappe/blt1ca471e2b9ab5948" target="_blank">become another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu</a>, but Barcelona are confident that they can <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/haaland-hero-michu-barcelona-transfer-borussia-dortmund-striker/blt8bdaeab90619e278" target="_blank">compete for the most sought-after of signatures</a>. Haaland is currently tied to a contract at City through to 2027, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/what-release-clause-erling-haaland-contract-man-city-striker-agent-responds-real-madrid-transfer-master-of-destiny/blt0e63be6a60a82046" target="_blank">those terms are said to include exit clauses</a>.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barca are keen to have contingency plans in place for when Robert Lewandowski departs, with the Polish frontman set to turn 36 in August. Haaland would be a suitable long-term replacement and the kind of addition that would help to keep Xavi in the most demanding of coaching roles.

WHAT NEXT?

Erling Haaland to Barcelona?! La Liga giants plot transfer raid on Man City in elaborate bid to prevent Xavi from stepping down as manager | Goal.com Cameroon

Barcelona are reportedly plotting a transfer raid on Manchester City for Erling Haaland in 2025, with the Liga giants eager to see Xavi stay put.

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