It is no secret that FC Barcelona were in the market for a new defensive pivot in the midfield to counter the loss of Spanish veteran and Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets, who has already left the Catalan club to pursue a new chapter in his career linked with American club Inter Miami.
As a result, the availability of various targets was inquired by Barcelona, and their entourages were even addressed and contacted in certain cases. However, the final choice to recruit a pivot ended up becoming Girona’s Oriol Romeu, a former La Masia graduate who has thus far not disappointed the club and continues to impress.
However, as per a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, there was yet another former La Masia talent that Barcelona considered going for during this summer window and his name is Sergi Altimira, a player who also plays at the defensive pivot position.
Barcelona reportedly inquired about his situation in the second week of August and even directly contacted his entourage following his impressive displays for Getafe during the pre-season, as Barcelona had been following the Madrid-based club quite closely as they were to be their first opponents once the official league campaign began.
Originally a La Masia player, the 21-year-old then ended up making a move away from Barcelona and has recently joined fellow La Liga outfit Real Betis from Getafe on a permanent deal worth his €2 million buyout clause set by Getafe.
His decision ended up being Real Betis as it already possesses the presence of Ramon Planes, the man responsible for at one point bringing many talented youngsters to Barcelona and Altimira was one of those.
The midfielder was at one point enticed by the interest of Barcelona, but having already given his word to Real Betis to join them, he did not turn away from it and now becomes a player for the whites and green of Betis.
While it was a great opportunity missed from the perspective of FC Barcelona, the Catalans have since redirected their attention towards ensuring their economic sustainability as they head into the conclusion of various other transfer targets in terms of both arrivals and departures in the remaining days of the summer transfer window.
