Barcelona’s 2026 surprise: Laporta’s secret target unveiled

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has set his sights on Erling Haaland as the club’s next striker, with Robert Lewandowski expected to leave when his contract expires on June 30, 2026.

While Lewandowski remains a key figure this season, scoring a brace against Valencia after coming off the bench, he is no longer able to play every match. Coach Hans-Dieter Flick has been giving the Polish star rest, and Ferran Torres has stepped up with strong performances, proving he can deliver on the big stage.

But with Lewandowski likely heading to Saudi Arabia, Barcelona must find a new central striker. The club’s technical team has reportedly favoured Julian Alvarez, with Deco already opening preliminary talks to secure his move from Atlético Madrid, El Nacional reported.

Laporta, however, has his eyes on a bigger prize: Erling Haaland. Since returning to the presidency, the Norwegian forward has been his obsession. Laporta believes Haaland’s style and finishing ability would make him the perfect successor to Lewandowski, capable of leading Barca’s attack and handling the pressure of being the team’s main striker.

Financial constraints had previously stalled any move for Haaland before his transfer to Manchester City, but Laporta has monitored his progress closely. The president remains optimistic, convinced that if City’s results continue to fluctuate, Haaland could be tempted to request a transfer to Camp Nou.