Barcelona's prospective president says it is 'absolutely possible' the club will sign Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in 2021, despite its $1.4 billion debts

• Barcelona could sign both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Braut Haaland this summer despite the club's crippling debts.
• That's according to presidential candidate Toni Freixa, who says landing the two superstar players is "absolutely possible."
• "It's what Barca should do. Incorporate players that can make a difference," he said.

FC Barcelona could sign both of the two hottest young players in world soccer - Kylian Mbappe and Erling Braut Haaland - this summer, despite the club's crippling debts.

That's according to presidential candidate Toni Freixa, who says landing the two superstar players in the coming months is "absolutely possible."

Barcelona's latest financial report, which was published in late January, revealed the club to have posted losses of $117 million in 2020 and be in a total of $1.4 billion of debt, $237 million of which is still owed to other clubs for transfers.

The club was also unable to pay its players their pre-agreed January salaries.

Freixa, who hopes to be elected as Barcelona's new president on March 7, told RAC1 when asked about the potential of signing either Mbappe or Haaland this summer: "It is absolutely possible. It's what Barca should do. Incorporate players that can make a difference."

Quizzed further, he added: "We will never talk about players until we present them. It is a bad strategy because you serve other clubs that step on you in negotiations on a platter."

Mbappe, whose current deal with Paris Saint Germain expires in June 2022, has been negotiating with the French champion over a new contract in recent months.

Though he has yet to put pen to paper, PSG is expected to offer him an annual salary in excess of $30 million to ensure he stays, according to CBS Sports.

Should the 22-year-old striker, who hit a hat-trick against Barca in the Champions League only last week, not sign a new a deal, PSG would be willing to let him go this summer for around $128 million to avoid losing him on a free in a years time, reports L'Equipe.

Haaland on the other hand has over three years remaining on his current deal with Borussia Dortmund remaining having only joined the club from RB Salzburg last January.

His deal does contain a $96 million buy-out clause, however that cannot be triggered before the summer of 2022.

According to the Irish Mirror, Dortmund is open to selling him sooner such is the demand for his services. The 20-year-old striker himself will demand a five-year package worth $110 million from any interested club, it added.

Freixa's comments about Haaland and Mbappe come amid continuing uncertainty over the future of Lionel Messi at Barcelona. Messi is believed to be waiting until the end of the current season before making a decision on whether he remains at the club or moves on.

Should he depart, Barcelona is likely to need some new attacking firepower, which may be where Haaland and Mbappe come in.

A 3-horse race for the presidency

Freixa is one of three men still vying to take over as Barcelona's president, one of the most prestigious but high pressure jobs in global sport.

In the March 7 election, Freixa will face off against Joan Laporta and Victor Font. Laporta is considered by many to be the favorite, thanks largely to the fact that he was Barcelona's president between 2003 and 2010 during one of the most successful periods of its recent history.

During Laporta's penultimate year as president, the club won six trophies, a record haul that included La Liga and the Champions League.