Barcelona presidential candidate promises to sign Erling Haaland ‘the following day’ if he wins election

The Catalan oufit have been mired in financial concerns this year and are underperforming on the pitch too

Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund (Getty Images)

The presidential elections for Barcelona continue to draw all manner of promises for the future of the club, with the latest being a declaration of intent to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland.

Emili Rousaud was one of six board members who resigned earlier this year over the running of the club by Josep Bartomeu and is now a candidate hoping to be in the running to take over himself, with the vote set for 24 January.

Rousaud’s aide, Josep Maria Minguella, told AS that if he was elected as president, he’d be in touch with Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola within 24 hours.

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“We know all the conditions and if we win, the following day I will call Mino Raiola and we will accept those conditions. I have already advised him of that,” Minguella is reported to have said.

“We have a world-class sports project that is not showing just now, but Emili Rousaud has a plan that will turn this unfortunate situation (at Barcelona) around.”

Barcelona have been under huge pressure financially this season, with discussions taking place with players over salary reductions.

They have also been struggling in LaLiga, drawing on Wednesday with Eibar to leave them sixth in the table after 15 matches. Manager Ronald Koeman is still looking toward a title challenge, but they are 10 points off leaders Atletico Madrid who have a game in hand.

In addition, there is the impending matter to deal with of Lionel Messi’s contract coming to an end - a massive cost to the club, but also the finest player on the planet over the last decade.

Messi has suggested he wants to play in MLS eventually, though made no assertion that he would make the move Stateside this summer.

Among the other presidential candidate promises at the club has been an intention to turn La Masia back into the talent-producing youth academy it was when Messi himself came through the ranks.