Laporta to meet UEFA president at Gala dinner ahead of Champions League final | OneFootball

Barcelona appear to have shocked everyone in the European footballing market by reaching an agreement with Newcastle United for the acquisition of Anthony Gordon.

The Catalans have stolen the English international under the nose of Liverpool and Bayern Munich, who were keen on his services and thought Barça were simply ‘bluffing’ at the start.

Laporta in Budapest for strategic meetings

With Gordon successfully passing his medical test, Barcelona have accelerated their plans for the summer ahead.

Laporta set to meet Ceferin ahead of UCL final. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

According to SPORT, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has flown to Budapest to attend UEFA’s gala dinner ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal, personally invited by Aleksander Ceferin.

While he will not stay for the match itself, it is apparent that the visit holds strategic value, as far as Barça are concerned.

Both Champions League finalists have emerged as rival suitors for Julian Alvarez, Barcelona’s top attacking target.

PSG and Arsenal’s interest adds urgency to Barcelona’s pursuit, with the Argentine prioritising a move to the Camp Nou but aware of the competition surrounding him.

Barcelona’s efforts to sign Alvarez

Julian Alvarez is Barcelona’s next big target. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Barcelona are hopeful of retaining their advantage in the Alvarez pursuit, knowing that the Argentine clearly favours a move to Catalonia, should he leave Atletico Madrid this summer.

Earlier this week, Laporta and Deco held a key summit with Alvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo, with Niagara Sports’ Juanma Lopez also present, given his connections to all parties involved.

With Gordon’s medical underway and Alvarez firmly in their sights, it is shaping up to be an exciting summer ahead for the Barcelona fans and the coming weeks could prove to be critical as the Catalans look to bag their second major coup in the market.