Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona will sign Erling Braut Haaland next summer'

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that he will attempt to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland next summer.

The 21-year-old will become one of the world's most-sought after strikers when his £64m release clause becomes active in June.

Barcelona are believed to be one of several elite European clubs keen to recruit Haaland, with Laporta confident he can fend off stern competition to sign the Norway international.

"I'm going to sign Haaland next summer," Laporta told colleagues behind closed doors according to Marca.

Laporta is also understood to have agreed a first refusal with Haaland's agent Mino Raiola should the striker depart Dortmund in the summer.

After completing the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City for around €55m (£46.7m), Barca are now finding ways to raise the necessary funds to make big-money transfers, with the Catalan giants hoping to sell first-team stars Philippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti in January.

Haaland, who has also been linked with the likes of Man City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, has scored 76 goals in just 75 appearances for Dortmund across all competitions.