Transfer Talk: Barca hope Haaland bid will convince Xavi to stay

The summer transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

Barcelona have mapped out a plan to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in 2025, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Blaugrana see the 23-year-old as a future replacement for Robert Lewandowski and are hoping that landing Haaland will convince current manager Xavi Hernandez to stay at the club.

Barca’s hierarchy have been impressed by Xavi’s ability to get the best out of younger players coming through the system and — along with lining up reinforcements to his squad this July — they want to make a statement signing in the future in hopes of persuading him to make a U-turn on his decision to step down.

Haaland has scored 29 goals in 35 matches for Man City across all competitions this season. He remains contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2027 and previous reports have also seen him linked to Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid.

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– Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram is being monitored by Barcelona, writes Sport. The 23-year-old is reported to be being considered as a midfield signing this summer, with the Blaugrana keen to strengthen there, and he is believed to have caught the attention of club sporting director Deco. Thuram has made 20 Ligue 1 appearances this season and was linked with Liverpool last summer.

– On loan Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho could get a second chance at Manchester United if they land Southampton sporting director Jason Wilcox, reports the Manchester Evening News. The club were previously believed to be planning to part ways with the 24-year-old after his relationship broke down with manager Erik ten Hag but, having been coached by Wilcox during his time at Manchester City, he could now be given a role at Old Trafford next season.

– Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is on the radar of Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail. The Red Devils are keen to reinforce the defence this summer and it looks as though the 21-year-old is one of the first options under consideration. He has made 27 league appearances for the Toffees this season and received his first senior call up to the England senior national team last month.

– Bayern Munich could be open to loaning out winger Bryan Zaragoza in the summer, reports Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. Rayo Vallecano are reported to be one of the sides keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, who has struggled to gain regular minutes in the Bundesliga this season, having played just 43 minutes across two appearances. Bayern are said to be keeping an eye on VfB Stuttgart winger Chris Führich as a potential replacement.

– Talks are being planned by Rangers amid hopes of landing Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Fábio Silva on a permanent basis, reports Football Insider. It is believed that a previous stumbling block has been the valuation of the 21-year-old, but the Gers are hopeful that they could convince the Premier League club to lower their demands. Silva has scored two goals in 10 league matches on loan at the Scottish Premiership giants this season.

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