Ex-Barcelona director claims he was close to signing Haaland, Courtois and Mbappe .
During Josep Bartomeu's tenure as Barcelona president, the club's transfers were a mixed bag, with both successful and failed signings. Former sporting director Javier Bordas recently discussed some of the missed opportunities that could have altered Barcelona's legacy and kept them at the top of European football.
One player mentioned was Erling Haaland, who is currently excelling at Manchester City. Bordas revealed that Haaland was available for a mere €20 million early on, and he had discussions with agent Mino Raiola. However, Raiola demanded a €20 million commission, complicating the deal. Bordas, as a manager proposing transfers, lacked the authority to accommodate such demands, leaving the opportunity to slip away.
Another notable case was Kylian Mbappe, who had expressed interest in joining Barcelona in 2017. With Neymar's departure, Barcelona sought a replacement, and Mbappe presented himself as an option. However, the club opted for Ousmane Dembele and later Philippe Coutinho instead. Bordas labeled Coutinho as Barcelona's worst signing in history, while Mbappe's potential move to the club was hindered by their preference for other players.
Dembele, signed as Neymar's replacement from Borussia Dortmund for around €130 million in 2017, has not lived up to expectations. Barcelona's decision-making regarding transfers during that period appears to have been flawed, as the signs of Dembele's struggles were evident early on.
Bordas also mentioned that Barcelona had the opportunity to bring back Neymar, as Paris Saint-Germain made a proposal to sell him. However, the club backed off, leading Bordas to consider resigning due to the frustration of failed attempts. Despite the setbacks, his love for Barcelona prevented him from leaving.
Thibaut Courtois was another player Bordas referred to, as he had recommended the goalkeeper to Barcelona in 2014 when they were seeking replacements for Victor Valdes and Jose Pinto. Courtois reportedly preferred a move to Barcelona over joining Chelsea at the time, but the club ultimately decided to sign Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo.
Bordas concluded by praising Lionel Messi as a genius and the best player ever, highlighting his controlled lifestyle and dedication to his family. In contrast, he mentioned Neymar's more indulgent behavior.
Overall, Bordas' comments shed light on the missed opportunities Barcelona encountered in the transfer market, potentially impacting the club's trajectory and success during Bartomeu's presidency.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0