Pique incites Haaland to reject Real Madrid
- Barcelona star Gerard Pique sent a veiled message to Norwegian striker Erling Haaland about his next destination.
- Haaland is on the cusp of leaving the Festival Lions next summer, amid a fierce struggle between Real Madrid and Barcelona for his services.
- Haaland is a priority for Barcelona, unlike Real Madrid, who are fully focused on resolving the deal of Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
- "If I were Haland and I wanted to win the Ballon d'Or, I wouldn't go to the same team as Mbappe," Pique said in a brief statement carried by As newspaper.
- The newspaper explained, it is a veiled advice from the Barça star, to the young striker, that it would be better to come to Barcelona, rather than Mbappe at Real Madrid.
- Haaland is under contract with Dortmund until the summer of 2024, but the club's management wants to know the player's fate before planning for next season, given his recent association with several major European clubs.
- The contract between the two parties gives the young striker the opportunity to leave in exchange for a payment of 75 million euros this year.
Barcelona await Aubameyang sacrifice
- A Spanish press report revealed that there is optimism within Barcelona, to conclude the contract with Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, before the end of the winter transfer market.
- According to sources for the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona continue to negotiate with Aubameyang to reach an agreement, because the deal will not be easy.
- "Aubameyang will have to reduce his salary very significantly in order to meet the conditions for fair financial play for The Bluegrana," she said.
- "Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has already spoken to Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the hope of convincing him."
- "Barcelona still have very little salary margin, although Dembele has not yet left, so Aubameyang could get the lowest salary with the first team," she said.
- Arsenal are seeking to get rid of Aubameyang to provide part of his salary, as well as not relying on him, so his move to Barcelona will provide him with an opportunity to participate but he has to ignore his financial ambitions for six months.