Barcelona have emerged as surprise contenders for Erling Haaland’s signature – but don’t rule out Real Madrid and other European giants vying for the Borussia Dortmund striker.

The Catalonian club hosted a two-and-a-half-hour meeting between Haaland’s agent, Mino Raiola, his father, Alf-Inge, Barca president Joan Laporta and their incoming director of football, Mateu Alemany, on Thursday, ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and Moises Llorens report.

However, Raiola and Haaland Sr. then flew out to the Spanish capital for discussions with Real Madrid, according to The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano. It’s understood that Raiola intends to hold talks with other interested parties – Manchester City, Chelsea, and potentially Manchester United – in the coming weeks.

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge quashed his club’s links with the 20-year-old on Wednesday.

Raiola’s talks with Barcelona “were positive if inconclusive,” Romano reports, and primarily explored the viability of a transfer. Laporta and Raiola have a long-standing, strong relationship, and Barcelona hope this, along with technical secretary Ramon Planes’ association with Raiola, could aid them in their pursuit.

Signing the Norwegian hotshot is seen as a strategic move by some behind the scenes at Barca because it would both strengthen the squad and ensure Haaland doesn’t join a domestic or continental rival.

However, Barcelona have been beset by financial issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, so there is an acceptance that striking a deal could prove difficult. The club is considering offloading players from its wage bill – possibly Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann, and Samuel Umtiti – and investigating lines of credit to finance a transfer, according to Kirkland and Llorens.

Barca are aware that Haaland is enticed by a switch to Clasico rivals Real Madrid, while Manchester City’s financial clout and connection with the player’s father – Alf-Inge Haaland captained the club before injuries prematurely ended his career – make them serious contenders.

Haaland is reportedly available for €75 million in the summer of 2022 due to a release clause in his contract. But, for now, Dortmund have apparently set the high-scoring marksman’s asking price at €180 million.

Sergio Aguero, Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer, will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, the team announced Monday.

Aguero dazzled over an illustrious decade-long spell at City, winning the Premier League title four times, the League Cup on five occasions, and the FA Cup in 2018-19.

The 32-year-old is likely to add to his trophy cabinet before he departs, as City remain in the hunt to win an unprecedented quadruple.

“A huge sense of satisfaction and pride remains in me for having played with Manchester City for a whole 10 seasons – unusual for a professional player this day and age,” Aguero wrote in a statement.

“Ten seasons with major achievements, throughout which I was able to become the top historic goalscorer and forging an indestructible bond with all those who love this club – people who will always be in my heart.”

Aguero famously delivered City’s first Premier League title on the final day of the 2011-12 season with a 94th-minute winner against Queens Park Rangers. The goal bumped crosstown rivals Manchester United out of first place on goal difference.

Commentator Martin Tyler’s famous call of Aguero’s heroics makes the rounds to this day.

But it is Aguero’s longevity as City’s go-to striker that sets him apart. The Argentine has scored 257 goals in 384 appearances since joining City from Atletico Madrid in 2011, breaking Eric Brook’s 78-year-old record in the process. Among those tallies is a Premier League-record 12 hat-tricks.

Aguero transformed into a complete player upon Pep Guardiola’s arrival in 2016, upping his intensity and contributing to the team’s build-up play. But several injuries have curtailed his contributions over the past year. Aguero, who also missed time with COVID-19, has started just five matches in all competitions this season.

Team chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said a statue of Aguero alongside former teammates David Silva and Vincent Kompany will be placed outside the Etihad Stadium.

“Sergio’s contribution to Manchester City over the last 10 years cannot be overstated. His legend will be indelibly etched into the memories of everyone who loves the club, and maybe even in those who simply love football,” Al Mubarak said.

“This is not yet the moment for farewell words and speeches. There is still much to achieve in the remainder of the time we have with Sergio, and we look forward to his contributions to the challenges which lay ahead.”

It’s unclear where Aguero will end up next. He previously expressed a desire to return to Argentinian club Independiente, where he started his career, and he’s also been linked with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus. He’ll be available on a free transfer.