Transfer Talk: Barcelona see Kane, Lautaro as backup options to Haaland

The January transfer window may seem like a distant memory, but that doesn’t mean the rumour mill has shut down! Speculation over summer moves is heating up, so check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.

TOP STORY: Kane, Lautaro backup options for Haaland at Barca

Things have really been heating up regarding Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland‘s transfer situation.

ESPN sources were told that the Norwegian’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, and agent, Mino Raiola, held talks with both Real Madrid and Barcelona on Thursday.

This seemingly puts the Spanish giants ahead of the racing pack trying to sign the prolific Dortmund frontman, but Barcelona are also ensuring they have plans ready if they fail to convince the 20-year-old to join them.

This news comes courtesy of two reports from Sport, stating that the Catalans see Internazionale star Lautaro Martinez as their “Plan B,” while the Spanish outlet adds Barca are considering Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane as another option.

Barcelona worked on signing the former last summer, but failed to reach a deal with Inter.

The Serie A club is now in financial difficulty, though, so the belief is that they may be willing to listen to lower offers than the €111 million they are said to have previously expected. However, there are some doubts within Barca about whether he is the marquee signing they need, according to the report.

Perhaps that is where Kane comes in, and Barcelona are aware that Spurs would rather see the 27-year-old move abroad than join another Premier League side.

They have done their research on the England captain and are said to be impressed by his performances, skillset and professionalism. And with plenty of rumours swirling about the striker’s future, he may be tempted by a prospective move to Camp Nou.

With all of this said, it should be reiterated that Haaland remains the priority for Barcelona as long as they have a chance of signing him.

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Alejandro Moreno explains why Lionel Messi and Barcelona is the perfect destination for Erling Haaland.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Multiple reports of late have suggested that Aston Villa have increased Jack Grealish‘s potential transfer to £100m in an effort to keep interested clubs from targeting the 25-year-old. Football Insider reports their willingness to stick to that may be tested, as the England international is Manchester City‘s main priority ahead of the summer transfer window, and they’re lining up a huge bid.

– Everton are hoping to complete an ambitious move for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, whom Carlo Ancelotti has worked with in the past, reports Football Insider. The Senegal international, who turns 30 years old in June, has been valued at £89m or more, but that fee is expected to drop by at least £30m, meaning the Toffees will be waiting in the wings to see if they can reunite Ancelotti with the defender.

– Wolfsburg midfielder Maximilian Arnold has been discussing the rumours around a possible move to Bayern Munich with Sky Sports Deutschland. Having recently signed a five-year contract, the 26-year-old told them: “I don’t know what will happen in the future. But when you sign such a long contract, you’ve put a lot of thought into it. But you can’t shut yourself off from anything. If you get a nice offer, you will probably give it some thought too. It’s the same with me. But I won’t give up on VfL Wolfsburg so easily.”

– AC Milan and Napoli are both showing an interest in signing Spezia centre-back Martin Erlic, as has been suggested by Calciomercato. The 23-year-old Croatian has been one of the side’s standout players this term, which has been enough for the Rossoneri to firm up their interest that initially started last year.