"Liverpool were in talks with Barcelona over the summer to sell one of their star players. That's according to Barca chief Deco, who has lifted the lid on a failed coup from the Catalans during a frenetic window in which Liverpool broke their transfer record twice. In the end, Barcelona had to look elsewhere to get their man but things could have been very different if the Reds were a little more accommodating."
"Liverpool spent well over 400 million on a squad that had already brought the title back to Anfield last term but such free-spending was boosted by sales of almost 200m. Now, Camp Nou director Deco has revealed in an interview with Mundo Deportivo in Spain, via Sport Witness, that Barcelona had their heart set on one of Arne Slot's title winners but ended up having to pivot and sign another Premier League player on loan when the move didn't happen."
"Looking at last season's squad, we were missing something there, Deco said. We thought Ansu would fill that role. He started preseason well, but then things didn't go his way, and he also suffered injuries that made things very difficult for him. He could play on the left wing and as a no.9, providing those solutions. But we lacked that profile in the squad."
Barcelona attempted to buy a Liverpool player during the summer transfer window but Liverpool refused to sell, forcing Barcelona to pursue alternatives. Liverpool spent well over €400 million while offsetting nearly €200 million through sales. Barcelona targeted a player who had helped Arne Slot win the title but could not complete the deal and instead took Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. Barcelona had also considered Luis Díaz and Ansu Fati as fits for the left wing and no.9 roles, but injuries and squad profile needs complicated those options. The failed approach left Barcelona to pivot within the Premier League market.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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