Barcelona Coach Xavi Hernandez refuses to deny that he has met Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland in Germany earlier this week.
Haaland, 21, is expected to leave Dortmund in the summer and ESPN has reported that Barca, with Real Madrid and City of Manchesterinterested in contracting with him.
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Reports in the Spanish media on Tuesday suggested that Xavi, along with Jordi Cruyff, who works as a sports consultant at Barca, met with Haaland in Munich, where he is receiving treatment for an injury.
Sources revealed to ESPN that Cruyff was in London when the meeting was supposed to take place, but Xavi passed up the opportunity to deny that he had met the Norway international.
“I cannot give details, I can only say that we are working on the future,” the Barca boss said at Saturday’s press conference when asked about his meeting with Haaland.
“I understand the concern and am aware that everyone wants to know about these things, but we have to focus on the present, on Elche game [on Sunday]. “
Sources have told ESPN that Madrid plan to speak with Dortmund in the coming days about Haaland, while City are also in the race for the striker.
Meanwhile, Barca are targeting a free transfer to improve their squad elsewhere – with Transactions are tracking for Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Franck Kessie – to save money for Haaland.
Madrid also hopes to dock Kylian Mbappe free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, and Xavi says the arrival of two of the game’s biggest stars will be great for Spanish football.
“The more players there are at that level, the best in the world, the better for LaLiga,” he added. “It improves the league, becomes more attractive. These players bring a lot of fans, so that’s going to be a huge positive.”
Meanwhile, Barca Announcement of the signing of the 18-year-old midfielder Pablo Torre from Racing Santander on Friday for a fee that could rise to 20 million euros.
“We’ve been following him for a while,” Xavi said. “He’s a natural talent. He can play in midfield or wide, is two-footed, scores goals, is great from dead balls… He’s young but he has what he has. ability to play for Barca for many years.
“It’s a great signing, one for the present and the future. He will be in the dynamic first team, but will play for the B team if he needs a few minutes, like Ferran Jutgla and Abde [Ezzalzouli] this season, because it’s important to play at that age. “
Xavi says he wants to take action Dani Alves extended his contract but added that there are no talks yet about extending the 38-year-old’s stay beyond the end of the season.
“He’s contributing a lot,” he said. “His professionalism and positivity is contagious. He is also giving on the pitch and I have no doubt he will continue to give so much next year despite his age. .”
Barca face Elche in La Liga on Sunday and can temporarily at least finish third with a win. Xavi has no new injury worries aside from .’s long-term absence Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti.
