Barcelona president Joan Laporta denies transfer talks with Erling Braut Haaland | OneFootball

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed there haven’t been any talks with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland.

The Norwegian striker is a top target for the Catalan giants, who are ready to meet his £68 million release clause this summer.

The speculation over his potential transfer to Camp Nou has recently increased after Laporta met his agent Mino Raiola in Monaco.

Another report claimed that Barca manager Xavi also met with Haaland in Germany to lure him to Camp Nou.

The Spanish manager gave a cryptic response that the Blaugrana were working on the future when he was asked about his rumoured meeting with Haaland in Munich.

Laporta has denied the rumours, stating that Barca have not started negotiations with the 21-year-old.

However, he was reluctant to respond to Xavi’s reported meeting with Haaland, stating that it wasn’t his business.

Laporta said ( h/t Goal): “I can deny that there has been any kind of negotiation over Haaland.

“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.

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

The Catalan giants are also close to getting an influx of cash from the CVC deal, which would help them facilitate the signing of Haaland.

However, Barca will have to fend off Real Madrid and Manchester City for the Norwegian international’s signature.

City manager Pep Guardiola recently revealed that they are working to sign a striker this summer, with Haaland one of their reported targets.