Pedri picks ‘cyborg’ Haaland as dream Barcelona signing

Barcelona midfielder Pedri says Erling Haaland would be his dream to sign for the Catalan club if he could sign any player in the world.

Barca president Joan Laporta spoke to Haaland's late agent Mino Raiola before the striker signed for Manchester City in 2022, with the Blaugrana price outside of any transaction.

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The 23-year-old has since scored 71 goals in 75 appearances for City, propelling the English side to a treble last season, including a first-ever Champions League trophy.

“Haaland,” Pedri said on Ibai Llanos' Twitch channel when asked which current player he would sign for Barca.

“This guy is a cyborg. He scores so many goals.”

Asked how the Norwegian's hypothetical arrival would work with Robert Lewandowski already at the club, Pedri added that “unfortunately Robert won't play until he's 60 and Haaland is much younger.”

Lewandowski, 35, already faces renewed competition for his place at Barca following the January signing of Brazilian striker Vitor Roque from Club Athletico Paranaense.

Roque, 18, arrived at Barcelona last week and is expected to make his debut against Las Palmas on Thursday if he is registered in time for La Liga.

“He’s always smiling,” Pedri said of the first impression Roque made.

“Brazilian players transmit magic. He is very young, so let's not ask him to be the new Pelé, but he is a player with a lot of confidence.”

Barca are also keen to add a midfielder to their squad in January to fill the void left by a long-term injury to Gavi, with Girona's Aleix García reportedly one of the targets being considered.

“I really like Aleix,” Pedri added.

You can see it because I have him on my Fantasy Football team this season. He's having a great campaign and bringing me a lot of points.”

Pedri is currently injured and is expected to miss Barca's match at Las Palmas this week.

“I don't know when I will come back. There is no set date, but I hope to come back soon,” he said.

This is the latest in a series of problems faced by Pedri since he made 52 appearances in his debut campaign with Barca in 2020-21, in addition to the European Championships and Olympics with Spain.

Since then, he has missed more than 60 matches for club and country, forcing him to change some of his habits and preparation.

“I do Pilates now on the advice of [former Barça defender Carles] Puyol,” he explained.

“I've also changed my diet. I'm going through a tough time, but I'm in good shape. It's tough mentally because everyone is talking about you.”