Barcelona boss Xavier Hernandez has explained why the club failed to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
The 21-year-old Norwegian striker was officially announced as a Manchester City signing on Tuesday. Haaland will move to the Eithad post the completion of the ongoing season.
Congratulating Haaland on his transfer, Xavi explained why Barcelona could not sign the coveted young forward following their 3-1 win over Celta Vigo.
“I wish Haaland all the best at City. We couldn’t compete economically,” the Barça boss said (via Barca Universal).
Barcelona's financial situation
Much has been made of the Catalan club's finances in the last year or so. The previous administration under Josep Maria Bartomeu left the club in a poor state both on and off the pitch.
Added to that was the pressure of the new La Liga rules, which put a wage cap on all Spanish football teams. It prevented Barca from retaining their club legend Lionel Messi last summer, who left the Nou Camp in 2021 after 17 long years.
New Barcelona president Joan Laporta had to reorganize a lot of the finances, which included shaping commercial deals, offering staggered contracts and signing free agents. This prevented Barca from bringing in top talent and missing out on Haaland might well be down to the same reason.
The Norwegian cost City around £51.2m, according to the BBC, and will earn £400,000 a week, as per the BBC's Simon Stone.
Haaland could be City's missing piece in the jigsaw
Since coming to England, Pep Guardiola has won three league titles in five years and is on course to win his fourth one this season. He has effectively conquered the league along with other domestic cup competitions.
However, the UEFA Champions League has continued to elude him and Manchester City, who were recently knocked out by Real Madrid in the semifinals this season. Signing a world-class striker like Haaland will only add to City's ruthlessness in front of goal, and could even give them the final boost needed to secure the European trophy in the coming years.
Huabdkopry
0
very true xavi the bose. just look back at what your club spent especially on. Coutinho, Ousmane, Griezmann and many other huge amount of money just to loan and bench the players. don't cry barca don't cry learn from mistake don't be jealous of others intelligence.
brozic
0
you signed Torres for 55m but lost halland who cost 51 m yes wages are there but still
I know.. no Torres = haaland arrival. I'd love to see someone at the game with a sign saying that on the front. and on the back xavi sucks Torres dxxx
Putciklmy
0
This boy will get money in England. Not so many chances to play cause pep has won things with a false 9. Unless we going to see a new style of play from pep that includes a number 9 in evry game
What are you saying?, when aguero was there nko
vuaipuy
0
uhm yea... you bought Torres , Traore (after the loan) , Aubameyang (free but wages) basically u chose exactly the players u have 🤔
haaland would cost more than triple from all these combined
Beautifulboy
1
Barca couldn’t sign him because pepper no rest. Period.[Crylaugh]
rasoliver
2
Barca now is not a football club but rather a political club
pujariashutosh
3
you signed Torres for 55m but lost halland who cost 51 m yes wages are there but still
Mohan__P
2
🤔
[image]
Ferran tores costs 55mil in transfer fee + 37.5mil wages for 5 years+10 mil add-ons... total 102.5mil haland transfer is around 350mil (200mil in wages+ 60m release clause+10m add ons+30m father bonus+50m agent bonus)
Suybcikmos
1
This boy will get money in England. Not so many chances to play cause pep has won things with a false 9. Unless we going to see a new style of play from pep that includes a number 9 in evry game
soldierzway
0
You don’t make sense at all do you know how much salaries in a year and hoe much haaland cost man city please don’t compare you don’t know anything about football
Ok
jasondrx77
1
uhm yea... you bought Torres , Traore (after the loan) , Aubameyang (free but wages) basically u chose exactly the players u have 🤔
seadlpruy
2
Let's take a min of silence for those fans who even thought of Barca pulling Haaland to Camp Nuo😂✌
[image]
I thought Madrid wanted him,what happened??
adeotiisaac
1
It’s very easy to understand the reality; 📉 LaLiga lost 900 million euros in 2020-21 season and it is the first time that La Liga has recorded loss since 2012. Unfortunately, 60% of losses attributed exclusively to FCBarcelona (€500M).
[image]
You’re a football fan not those that have no sense
adeotiisaac
2
🤔
[image]
You don’t make sense at all do you know how much salaries in a year and hoe much haaland cost man city please don’t compare you don’t know anything about football
adeotiisaac
2
Xavi and excuses are like 5&6
[image]
He’s right so what’s your fucking problem
Jojobaski
3
Please for those talking about xavi just be honest with yourself Barca is in bad shape financially base on poor administration from the previous president and he is very gentle enough to admit and wish halánd well it is professional and also give xavi the thumbs up for where Barca is today ok
Tommyshmurda080
0
You Can't Attack me For Saying the Truth biased or unbiased
Don’t mind Barcelona fans, you can understand what we’ve been enduring, they have a very low mentality
Rohan Kapoor
3
Let's take a min of silence for those fans who even thought of Barca pulling Haaland to Camp Nuo😂✌
[image]
and real Madrid pulling Halaand and mbappe together 🤪
yeocekmpt
4
AsaprockyMadrid
2
Xavi and excuses are like 5&6
ManUnited-Red
2
He was not going to get treated well at Barca
kudmnoprsu
0
Dortmund has not lost one player Bt two Harland and Erling
KHMMURU07
4
Let's take a min of silence for those fans who even thought of Barca pulling Haaland to Camp Nuo😂✌
kudmnoprsu
0
This One That it's just Man City imagine the Noise Xavi Would have Made if it was Real Madrid
You are simply cryx cus city will kill u Liverpool next season u stand no chance to compete
soldierzway
4
🤔
saurav5105
0
It’s very easy to understand the reality; 📉 LaLiga lost 900 million euros in 2020-21 season and it is the first time that La Liga has recorded loss since 2012. Unfortunately, 60% of losses attributed exclusively to FCBarcelona (€500M).
[image]
Thanks to lord Bartomeu and his team who were Harvard graduates
vaecelmnpy
0
I know ur having goose bumps already next season u won't even come close to city
You Can't Attack me For Saying the Truth biased or unbiased
Dexamyor
0
No reason boss we don’t hv money to complete simple
MwenePuta
4
A player must fit your playing style... Not just because he's a top player and you expect him to be on top.
MadridMaldives
2
It’s very easy to understand the reality; 📉 LaLiga lost 900 million euros in 2020-21 season and it is the first time that La Liga has recorded loss since 2012. Unfortunately, 60% of losses attributed exclusively to FCBarcelona (€500M).
bikadikp
0
This One That it's just Man City imagine the Noise Xavi Would have Made if it was Real Madrid
I know ur having goose bumps already next season u won't even come close to city
harsh1988
0
It's simple they don't have Money 💸💰
Tommyshmurda080
1
This One That it's just Man City imagine the Noise Xavi Would have Made if it was Real Madrid
Always ranting
Tommyshmurda080
0
Buddy live Xavi alone, he doesn't just talk he replies what the journalist is asking
Yeah, they are always asking him tricky questions because he is dumb
Vezonic22
2
I knew it but then had to wait to see it really happening.
Fepbcikmns
1
This One That it's just Man City imagine the Noise Xavi Would have Made if it was Real Madrid
Buddy live Xavi alone, he doesn't just talk he replies what the journalist is asking
vaecelmnpy
6
This One That it's just Man City imagine the Noise Xavi Would have Made if it was Real Madrid
EpicVibes01
2
He always has an explanation
Punkrsuy
2
they think. they can sign all start players in each team.
flessco
3
try to ear any rumours from Barcelona board. be like