Barcelona president Joan Laporta has specific plans to sign Manchester City star Erling Haaland.

Laporta's plan is to secure Haaland for Barcelona in the summer of 2026, in time for the next presidential election, says Sport.

He believes that by then Barcelona will have recovered financially and can afford such an operation.

Haaland has a buyout clause in his contract with Manchester City. It will be €175m in two years.

By signing Haaland, Barcelona wants to send a message to other giants that they are back in earnest.

Just over a month ago, Barcelona's sporting director Deco was seen together with Rafaela Pimenta and Maxwell. They represent, among others, Haaland.