FC Barcelona have been able to make some very good signings in the last few years. Players like Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan, Raphinha, and Jules Kounde have all been incorporated by the club despite their very difficult financial circumstances.
However, naturally, there have also been some instances when Barcelona have missed out on some highly promising youngsters.
A former Barça scout has disclosed how the Catalans missed out on a young striker who went on to become a highly sought-after player later.
Former scout recommended Vlahovic to Barcelona
According to SPORT, Bojan Krkic Sr., a former Barcelona scout, recently spoke to the media, where he disclosed how he had recommended Dusan Vlahovic’s signing to the Catalan club when he was still in the youth ranks at Fiorentina:
“Vlahovic could have signed for Barcelona, and I intervened when he was playing brilliantly in Fiorentina’s B team. He had already made his debut with the first team and scored some goals.”
The former scout went on to explain how the striker could have been obtained for a very reasonable price, but the sporing department at the club did not believe Vlahovic could make it at Barcelona:
“I know his agent, who is Serbian and a friend of mine, and we met with Barcelona. His transfer was worth €12 million at the time. The coach was Koeman, but, in a meeting with the sports management, they considered that it wasn’t worth it, that he didn’t have the Barcelona level for the future, and it was dismissed.”
Alemany wanted to sign Serbian striker later on
However, Krkic goes on to state that the Blaugranes were quick to realize their mistake, and went in for the striker when he stood out in the Fiorentina first team. But his value had already sky-rocketed by that time:
“When he started scoring goals in the first team, the major European clubs entered negotiations, including Barcelona, with Mateu Alemany, but by then, he was worth €80 million.”
At that time, the Catalans ended up signing Memphis Depay for Ronald Koeman, who did not cost Barcelona a penny in transfer fees. On the other hand, Juventus shelled out €70 million for Vlahovic, who is still playing for the Italian side.
