Barcelona could only make one major signing in the summer 2024 transfer window, and they initially tried to place all their eggs in Nico Williams’s basket after his sensational Euro 2024 campaign.
But at the last minute, the Athletic Club left winger decided to remain loyal to the club where his brother plays, snubbing Barcelona and leaving the Blaugrana to pursue their Plan B attacking upgrade.
That backup plan was none other than Dani Olmo, and the former Barcelona academy graduate has played excellently for the Blaugrana so far in 2024/25, scoring in each of his three appearances before being struck down by yet another injury.
Olmo, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski are firing on all cylinders as the actual best attacking quartet in La Liga, as new coach Hansi Flick has Barcelona at the top of the table.
Far from sitting complacently, though, Barcelona and their executives are focused on the future, building a team that can, once again, compete for the Champions League title year after year.
According to a report from Diario Sport, Barcelona president Joan Laporta still has eyes on making a grand attacking signing, and his No. 1 priority has shifted from a left winger like Rafael Leao, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, or Nico Williams to Manchester City superstar striker Erling Haaland.
The record-breaking Premier League forward has been as prolific as ever in 2024/25, and there are rumblings that he could be had on the open market in 2025 or 2026, especially as Man City squabble with regulators over possible financial punishment after years of exorbitant, UAE-fueled spending.
At the time of Haaland’s transfer to Man City, there was a notion that he wanted badly to play for one of the historic La Liga sides. However, Real Madrid were hell-bent on pursuing Kylian Mbappe, while Barcelona didn’t have the money to afford the exorbitant bonus package that Haaland and his high-profile entourage commanded.
In 2025 or 2026, Haaland could be ready for a new challenge, with a later date likely being more realistic for Haaland personally and for Barcelona financially. And Laporta has the right idea here. If you want to go for a game-changer, then you might as well go BIG for a potential 40-goal striker rather than messing around with player who, while very good, aren’t elite (like Leao or Williams).
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He covered Real Madrid from 2019-2022 for The Real Champs as a site manager. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other major outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.