Back to the Manchester City Newsfeed

'It's a shame... we CAN'T compete': Barcelona are DESPERATE as Xavi admits they aren't at the top table for transfers any more after missing out on Erling Haaland and Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic

Barcelona boss Xavi has openly admitted they can't compete with Manchester City and some of Europe's biggest clubs in the transfer market after missing out on Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Erling Haaland.

City announced on Tuesday the 21-year-old Norway international will join Pep Guardiola's squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign following a £51million transfer - despite Barca showing an interest in the striker.

The Catalan giants, however, were never realistically going to snap up Haaland due to their ongoing financial constraints.

Barcelona boss Xavi has admitted they can't compete after missing out on Erling Haaland

This is not the first time they've missed out on a top transfer target either as forward Dusan Vlahovic opted to join Serie A giants Juventus instead of heading to Spain in January.