Raiola agrees Haaland transfer 'pact' after private talks over big-money move

Erling Haaland's agent, Mino Raiola, has reportedly finalised a secret transfer 'pact' with Barcelona after a number of private talks with Joan Laporta - clearing the path for the La Liga giants to sign the Norwegian superstar if they can raise the necessary funds by the summer.

Haaland is widely expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season and is being chased by a host of Europe's biggest clubs.

The 21-year-old's incredible record of 76 goals in just 74 games since as arrival from Red Bull Salzburg in 2020 has, unsurprisingly, made him one of the most coveted players in the world.

Barca president Laporta has vocal in his hopes of striking a deal for Haaland - and a new report has perhaps shed some light on why the Spaniard has appeared to be so confident on the matter in recent weeks.

According to Deportes Cuatro, Raiola has given Laporta his word that Haaland will play at the Nou Camp next season if Barcelona can afford the deal.

Haaland recently outlined his desire to play in Spain at some point during his career.

And it's been reported over the last month that Raiola has been fielding enquiries and conducting meetings ahead of Haaland's big move - including with Laporta in Spain.

It now appears that the duo, who already have a close relationship from previous negotiations over Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have struck a private agreement in a huge boost for the Catalan side.

Although Haaland is expected to be available for a cut-price fee of £63million when a release clause kicks in next summer, that could still be an issue for Barcelona.

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The La Liga side's financial woes have been well documented over the past year.

But Laporta has insisted that the club is on its way back - and they've even wrapped up a deal that could rise to £54m for Manchester City striker Ferran Torres already this month.

However, Barcelona are still in a position where they need to offload players before La Liga will permit them to register any new recruits.

And reports have since emerged that Barca could try to thrash out a deal with City to keep Torres until the end of the season as they seek to balance the books in a desperate bid to register the Spaniard.

If that is the case, then it would be a big ask for Barca to be in healthy enough financial position to pursue Haaland in the next few months.

As well as a big-money transfer fee, Haaland is expected to command an estimated £25m gross salary.

But Laporta is determined to strike a deal for Dortmund ace as a direct response to Real Madrid's summer swoop for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

The report goes on to outline that, in order to clear the decks for Haaland's arrival, Barcelona are set to be ruthless in offloading some members of their squad; including players who had previously been deemed 'untouchable'.

It was anticipated that competition for Haaland's signature would be fierce in the summer.

As well as interest from Barca and Bayern Munich, Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Manchester City are both believed to have kept a keen eye on developments over the past few months.

But it's now beginning to look as though the hottest transfer race in years could be over already.