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Barcelona have been linked with an ambitious move to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who has started the season in the form of his life.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has cooled talk of the Catalans making a move for Erling Haaland after saying the La Liga giants "shouldn't be obsessed" with signing a No. 9 to replace Robert Lewandowski.
It was reported in Catalan media last week that club president Joan Laporta had made Manchester City striker Haaland his 'dream' transfer target, with the club on the lookout for a long-term replacement for Lewandowski.
The Pole is continuing to bang in the goals for Barca, with four in seven La Liga games this season, but he is now 37 and his contract is up at the end of this season.
That has led the cash-strapped club to consider their options in the market and as well as Haaland, they have also been linked with Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, but in an interview with Catalunya Radio’s Tot Costa, Deco warned against the idea of becoming fixated on signing a new striker.
"We shouldn’t be obsessed with signing a number 9,” he said. “Perhaps you can do without one. This isn’t the time to talk about signings. Ferran can play as a nine.
"PSG won the Champions League without a penalty-area player. Talking about a ‘nine’ is a bit of a mistake, although there are good players."
Haaland signed a contract that will keep him at the Etihad until 2034 earlier this year and the Norwegian has scored 18 goals in 11 games for club and country so far this season.
Asked about Barcelona's interest in Haaland last week, Guardiola gave the idea of a move short shrift and said the 25-year-old wanted to see out his contract at the club.
"I think Erling isn’t stupid enough to sign something he doesn’t want to accomplish, that is for sure," the City boss said.
"But it's football, who knows what is going to happen. Nobody knows. Can you tell me one club that wouldn’t dream of Erling Haaland?
"I understand Barcelona dream of Erling, and all the clubs in the world. If Erling would not be with us it would be a dream for Man City have Erling.
"Honestly, I don’t know what is going to happen. I know he has a long contract here, and I think he’s doing really well and scoring a lot of goals.
"I had the feeling the team helps him a lot and gives him a lot of actions where he is able to score a goal."
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