Barcelona had rejected the chance to signal €80 million-rated Atletico Madrid famous person for €22m

Julian Alvarez has change into a bona fide star in La Liga since becoming a member of Atletico Madrid final summer season.

The Argentine has been deeply concerned in Atletico’s attacking play this season, racking up 23 objectives in all competitions and taking part in a key position in serving to Diego Simeone’s males emerge as one of many robust title contenders.

Barcelona might have signed Julian Alvarez

Nonetheless, Alvarez’s profession trajectory might have been very totally different as he was provided to Barcelona again in 2021.

That’s in accordance with Miguel Rico, who reveals that the Catalan giants had the prospect to safe his providers for simply €22 million when he was nonetheless taking part in for River Plate.

Famend agent Josep Maria Minguella was tipped off about Alvarez by River Plate’s technical secretary, Enzo Francescoli, who urged Barcelona to signal him.

Julian Alvarez might have joined Barcelona in 2021 (Photograph by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Pictures)

On the time, Alvarez had a launch clause of €22 million, and Francescoli personally knowledgeable Minguella concerning the alternative.

Barcelona opted for Ferran Torres as a substitute

Regardless of the tip-off, Barcelona determined towards pursuing the deal. As a substitute, the membership’s focus was on strengthening their assault by way of gamers from the Premier League.

This led them to take a position €60 million in Ferran Torres from Manchester Metropolis, a choice that in hindsight appears to be like questionable given Alvarez’s rise to prominence.

Manchester Metropolis finally capitalized on Barcelona’s hesitation, securing Alvarez for simply €21 million —a million lower than his launch clause at River Plate.

The transfer proved to be a masterstroke as Alvarez flourished beneath Pep Guardiola earlier than making his big-money change to Atletico Madrid for €80 million.

Nonetheless, it have to be famous that Ferran himself, after enduring a troublesome few years at Barcelona, has been doing effectively beneath Hansi Flick and has now established himself as an affect participant.