Barcelona chief Joan Laporta ‘has held Christopher Nkunku talks’ with Man Utd also keen

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has held talks with the agent of RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku about a potential transfer, according to reports. The forward has flourished in the Bundesliga this season. And a move away from the Red Bull Arena could be on the cards come the end of the campaign.

Barcelona are on the hunt for new signings ahead of the summer transfer window.

Erling Haaland is their main target, with the Borussia Dortmund star scoring 21 goals and registering four assists from 22 games.

Memphis Depay is also on their radar, with the Netherlands international flourishing for Lyon in Ligue 1.

They’d like to sign Eric Garcia from Manchester City, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium appears to be winding down.

And interest in Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum remains, despite missing out on a deal for the Dutchman last summer.

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Now, Fussball Transfers claim Laporta has held talks with Nkunku’s agent, Pini Zahavi, about a potential move at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old moved to Germany from Paris Saint-Germain back in 2019 and, since then, has taken the Bundesliga by storm.

He’s been in good form this season, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists in all competitions.

Yet while Barcelona want to secure Nkunku’s signature, the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal are also admirers.

It’s claimed United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been impressed by the 23-year-old’s mindset this term and, as a result, is pondering whether to bring him to Old Trafford.

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But Barcelona, given they’re already in touch with Zahavi, appear frontrunners in the race to sign the Leipzig star.

Meanwhile, regarding Haaland, and Mino Raiola believes the forward is well on track when it comes to his development.

The super-agent recently held talks with Barcelona about a potential switch, though was also seen talking to Real Madrid on the same day.

And Raiola said: “Haaland is in front of his own development.

“He is ahead of his own schedule. Maybe I was too careful when I said, ‘Oh no, let’s move to Dortmund instead of I-don’t-know-where’.

“This boy – I’m 100 per cent convinced and everybody’s convinced – can move to any club, wherever he wants, already on this level. He could have done that last year.”

Raiola has previously claimed only 10 clubs on the planet have the financial might to land his client.

“It is obvious that everybody is looking at Erling as one of those potential new future stars because it’s so difficult to do what he does at his age at his level,” he said.

“He will be one of the future stars of the next decade because we see that stars such as Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo and Messi are coming to an age where everyone asks themselves: ‘How long can we still enjoy them?’ So everyone is looking for the new generation.

“Only a maximum of 10 clubs can afford to buy [Haaland] and give the platform you would like after you’ve been in Dortmund… and four of those clubs are in [England].

“I don’t think there’s a sports director or trainer in the world who would say ‘not interested’.

“It’s like saying: ‘Is there a Formula 1 team who would not be interested in having Lewis Hamilton?'”

Barcelona could lose several players this summer, meanwhile.

Ousmane Dembele is on Manchester United’s transfer radar, with the France international’s contract due to expire in 2022.

Antoine Griezmann has had his price slashed to just £52million, having struggled for form since his arrival from Atletico Madrid nearly two years ago.

And Philippe Coutinho may also be shown the door.

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