Barcelona president Joan Laporta DENIES that negotiations are underway for Erling Haaland

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has denied reports that negotiations are already underway to sign star striker Erling Haaland.   

The Borussia Dortmund forward has been linked with a huge £64million summer switch to Barca this summer, although numerous big clubs including Real Madrid and Manchester City are also interested.

The 21-year-old reportedly had a meeting with head coach Xavi Hernandez in Munich last week, but the Catalan giants president was quick to deny further rumours. 

The Borussia Dortmund striker reportedly held talks with Barca head coach Xavi in Munich

 ‘I can deny that there has been any kind of negotiation over Haaland,’ Laporte said in a meeting of supporters groups, according to Goal. 

‘Not a meeting, nor a conversation, nothing. With regards to the meeting between Xavi and Haaland in Munich, that’s none of my business, but two sportsmen can talk about football, I suppose.

Haaland has been a revelation since joining the Bundesliga side in 2020, scoring 80 goals in 79 matches, which has attracted Europe’s biggest clubs. 

Haaland (pictured) has scored 80 goals in 79 matches since joining Dortmund back in 2020

In 14 league appearances this term, he has netted 16 goals, while he also scored three times in as many matches in the Champions League group stages.

This summer seems to be the time for clubs to capture his signature as the Norwegian international has a release clause in his contract which kicks in this summer that allows him to leave for a cut-price £64million.

Barcelona appear to be the early front-runners with Real Madrid focused on snapping up out of contract PSG attacker Kylian Mbappe this summer.

‘I cannot say anything because his price will go up,’ Laporta said when asked about Haaland in an interview with Barca TV on Monday.

Barca president Joan Laporta (pictured) insists he cannot say anything because Haaland’s price will go up

‘We are planning to strengthen all of our lines. We are working.

‘We will make economic decisions to favour sporting issues. Every player wants to come to Barca, but we’ll let those who know what they’re doing carry out their work.’

Xavi also failed to deny reports of meeting up with Haaland when he addressed the media on Saturday.

‘I can’t give details. I can only say that we are working for both the present and the future of the club.

Xavi (pictured) failed to deny reports of meeting up with the Norwegian international

‘When we can announce something, like the signing of Pablo Torre, we’ll do that. I can’t say anything else, only that we’re working for the present and the future.

‘The first thing we’d do is contact Borussia Dortmund, his club.’

A signing in the form of Haaland would be a major boost to Barcelona who have struggled this season, crashing out of the Champions League, and are already well out of contention in the race for the LaLiga title.

Although Xavi has overseen a huge improvement in form of late after managing to bring in new additions during the January transfer window, including Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore.