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EXCLUSIVE

Barcelona are ready to make the capture of Erling Haaland their top priority this summer — ahead of trying to keep Lionel Messi, reports DUNCAN WRIGHT.

The Catalan giants’ president Joan Laporta is desperate to take Borussia Dortmund star Haaland to the Nou Camp, despite the club being saddled with debts over £1BILLION.

They had earmarked £109million and want to make the 20-year-old striker the main player to build their future around.

They see that as more important at this moment than getting Messi, who turns 34 next month, tied down to a new contract.

Messi’s current deal runs out at the end of this season and though talks have started between him and the club, resolving his future is not seen as the most pressing task.

Going all out for Haaland is, because Laporta feels the Norwegian is the player who can become the next main man at Barca once Messi’s illustrious career comes to a close.

A source told SunSport: “Haaland is the future, Messi is almost the past.”