BARCELONA are now serious contenders in the highly competitive battle to sign Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.

That's according to bookmakers Betfair, who've more than HALVED his chances of arriving at the Nou Camp this summer.

Get a £20 free bet when you place £50 worth of bets. Repeat up to 5 times*

Haaland, 21, was previously available at 20/1 to join Xavi and Co. in Barcelona.

But the Norwegian forward is now priced at 7/2 after a flurry of activity in the betting markets overnight.

The reduction in odds could be a direct result of reports that manager Xavi has personally held discussions with the player.

Catalan paper L'Esportiu claim Xavi and chief Jordi Cruyff travelled to Munich to meet with their transfer target, and outline their ambitions and visions for the club.

President Joan Laporta has also met with Haaland's agent Mino Raiola on several occasions.

And recently insisted the club's financial problems are behind them, and that they are once again 'big players in the transfer market.'

He said in January: "We’re definitely recovering our status.

Erling Haaland next club

Betfair odds

• Manchester City – 2/1
• Real Madrid – 5/2
• Barcelona – 7/2
• Bayern Munich – 9/1
• Chelsea – 10/1
• Paris Saint-Germain – 12/1
• Manchester United – 14/1
• Liverpool – 14/1
• Arsenal – 25/1
• Newcastle – 33/1
• Atletico Madrid – 33/1
• Juventus – 50/1

Get a £20 free bet when you place £50 worth of bets. Repeat up to 5 times*

"Everybody in the world should get ready, as we are back as big players in the market."

Nevertheless, Premier League leaders Manchester City are the frontrunners for his signature at odds of 2/1.

The Citizens are still eager to sign a centre-forward having failed in their efforts to clinch Harry Kane last summer.

Haaland is widely believed to have a £67million release clause that will become active this summer, and City boast the financial muscle to eclipse their rivals.

Bayern Munich are next in the betting at 9/1, a fraction ahead of Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea at 10s.

However, the Blues would likely need to sell record signing Romelu Lukaku to finance a deal for the youngster.

Manchester United and Liverpool are locked together at 14/1, while Arsenal and Newcastle are priced at 25/1 and 33/1 respectively.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

FOOTBALL OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

*New customers place £50 worth of bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100. Min odds 1.2 (1/5). Multiple bets included. Exchange bets excluded. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

Source: Read Full Article