Irresponsible to link Haaland and Mbappe to Barca amid €1,173m debt: Laporta's ex-VP

The PSG forward and the BVB striker are believed to be on the radar of the Catalans.

Rafael Yuste, however, insists that Barca have to focus on keeping Leo Messi.

“Today, with a debt of €1,173m, it would be irresponsible to say that we are going to sign Haaland or Mbappe,” Rafael Yuste, Barcelona vice-president under Joan Laporta and a key member of the latter's current presidential camp, has said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.

“In addition, we have a squad that can give a lot of joy to the members and a brave coach who bets on young people. 

“As we turn around the situation and generate resources, there will be a choice, but now let's support what we have and see how far we can go. 

“Right now we already have the best in the world called Leo Messi.”

Funnily enough, Laporta said that he has 'all the cards ready to be played' when asked about the signing of the Borussia Dortmund striker last month.

Nevertheless, Mbappe and Haaland remain arguably the two biggest rising stars in the world of football, so the media will inevitably continue to link them to Barca and other top European clubs in the years to come.