Former Barcelona star Hristo Stoichkov believes club legend Johan Cruyff would have chosen to sign Kylian Mbappe over Erling Haaland.
The PSG phenom and Borussia Dortmund striker are widely regarded as the best young talents in the world at present.
Europe’s top clubs are monitoring each player’s situation, with Haaland expected to be this summer's big transfer saga, and Mbappe's deal in Paris expiring in 2022.
Following the return of Joan Laporta as club president after recent elections, Barca could be among the clubs courting both stars as they look to re-establish themselves as a major footballing force.
Late Dutch superstar Cruyff has often been credited with turning the club into a superpower during his time as manager in the early 90s, creating the famous ‘Dream Team’ who swept to four successive La Liga titles between 1991 and 1994 as well as lifting the European Cup in 1992.
Stoichkov, who led the line up front for that great side, says his former manager, who passed away in 2016, would have signed the Frenchman if given the choice.
“I think that with Barcelona's system, Haaland can be more effective,” the 1994 Balon d’Or winner told Goal .
“But if the coach were Johan Cruyff, I already can tell you that I would sign Mbappe first.”
Mbappe, 22, joined PSG from Monaco in 2017 and 12 months on played a starring role as France won the World Cup for the second time.
The forward capped an impressive tournament with a goal in the 4-2 win over Croatia in the final.
Mbappe has also shown Barcelona first hand what he is capable of with a stunning hat-trick at the Nou Camp in a 4-1 win in the Champions League this season.
Haaland meanwhile, has scored a remarkable 49 goals in 49 appearances for Dortmund having only joined the club in January 2020.
Despite this, Stoichkov still believes Cruyff, who also won a Liga title as a player at the club, would find Mbappe a better tactical fit at the club.
“He would play without a number nine and he would play with Ousmane Dembele, Mbappe and Messi organising,”
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