Several of soccer’s finest players have called Barcelona their cradle in the recent past. In addition to the talented rising stars ofAnsuFati andPedri‘scaliber, the roster includedthe likes of Neymar, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi.
After a poor 2021-22 season, Joan Laporta had a daunting challenge when the summer transfer market opened this summer. Thus, hecompleted the transfer of trioRaphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Jules Koundefor over €150 million, including Andreas Christenson and Franck Kessie through Bosman moves.
This time, theBlaugrana managed to snatch the majority ofthem out of the competition’s hands. However, it’s safe to say that theyhavelost out on a number of talented players throughout the years.
Why Barcelona didn’t want to signKylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland before?
The Athletic’s investigation into the clubhasrevealed that Xavi Hernandez‘s squad has failed to bring in two high-potential acquisitions in the recent past, which may have had a significant influence on the team’s success.Specifically, they aretalking aboutKylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
According to the report, Barcelona were given the chance to acquire a teenage KylianMbappe when he was at Monaco. Agent Junior Minguella from Spain offered them the opportunity. Ultimately, in 2017, Paris Saint-Germainsnagged him on an initial loan after the La Liga side passed it up. What is more, Erling Haaland was no exception.
Similarly, the Norwegianwas earlier deemed unsuitable for their needs. While being onSalzburg’s books, he was approached by Barcelona and offered a deal. Trying to fix their past mistakes, the Camp Nou outfittried to recruit the then Borussia Dortmund striker this summer and even traveled to Germany to talk with him.
A player like the 22-year-old was considered asa fantastic asset for the club in the years to come, and was preferable to the veteran acquisition of Robert Lewandowski.However, it was Manchester City who ended up signing him this July by paying his €60million release clause.
see also
Neither Lewandowski nor Dembele: The player in Xavi's Barcelona with the highest salary
