Larsson set for Barca switch
The 32-year-old will leave Scottish Champions Celtic this summer on a free transfer but his next destination has remained a mystery for months.
A host of Spanish clubs have been linked with the former Feyenoord hit-man, including Villarreal and Osasuna, although Barca appeared to rule themselves out of the chase for his signature a few weeks ago.
However, after their failure to lure France international David Trezeguet from Juventus, the Catalan giants have renewed interest in Larsson and will now offer him a one or two-year deal to play in La Liga.
"At this time, we do not want to bother Henrik Larsson, who is doing very well with Sweden at Euro 2004, but he knows that at the end of the tournament an offer from Barcelona will be waiting for him," explained Barca supremo Laporta at a press conference in Portugal.
"It will be a contract for one or two years, there are many ways of structuring the agreement.
"But I don't want to enter into details at this time because we have still not discussed it with the player."
Laporta acknowledged that Larsson's age meant he was not a long-term solution to the club's search for a striker - with Patrick Kluivert expected to depart Camp Nou this summer - but insisted the player's showing in Portugal proved he was still capable of performing at the top level.
"It's certain that he is not a youngster, but you only have to look at how he is doing in Portugal," he continued.
"He has maintained his physical power and is a great professional.
"His ability to score and his fighting spirit are very important aspects for our coach (Frank Rijkaard), who will be able to count on a forward who also works for his team-mates.
"Barcelona prefer to sign footballers who have consistently demonstrated their class over several years and at a high level, Henrik has already done that, and we appreciate his quality and his spirit."
Laporta, who is in Lisbon taking in Euro 2004, went on to admit that he, like every other observer at the tournament, had been wowed by the displays of England's Wayne Rooney.
The Barca chief claimed that he would not be surprised if one of Europe's big guns paid a massive fee for England's new idol.
"Everyone in football is here in Portugal and everywhere I go the talk is of Rooney," stated Laporta.
"He has an explosive talent which reminds me of a young Paul Gascoigne.
"A lot of clubs want Rooney and he has a very splendid future ahead of him.
"For such a player, some clubs will pay whatever the market dictates."
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