Barcelona had the chance to sign Julian Alvarez for just €22M in 2021 but passed him up for Ferran Torres at €60M. Now, Alvarez is thriving at Atletico Madrid while Torres struggles. This decision highlights Barca’s poor scouting and transfer blunders, leaving fans wondering what could have been.
Key Highlights
- They had Julian Alvarez for €22M but said no.
- 31 goals vs. 18. One’s a star, the other’s a squad player.
- Bad scouting. Worse spending. Will they ever stop throwing money at the wrong players?
Barcelona’s Big Mistake: Letting Julian Alvarez Slip Away
Imagine having a golden ticket in your hand and flushing it down the loo. That’s exactly what Barcelona did in 2021 when they let Julian Alvarez go for a measly €22m. Instead they splashed €60m on Ferran Torres—a move that gets worse with each passing season.
What Happened?
According to Barca Universal, River Plate’s technical secretary Enzo Francescoli personally recommended Barcelona sign Julian Alvarez. Alvarez was excelling at River, and his potential was evident. However, Barca’s obsession with immediate impact led them to fully invest in Ferran Torres. And the rest is history.
Alvarez vs. Torres: No Contest
Since leaving City, Alvarez has scored 31 goals in 95 games. Torres has 18 in the same amount of games. The numbers don’t lie. One player is a key player for club and country; the other is fighting for minutes in a struggling Barcelona side.
The Bigger Picture
Barcelona’s scouting and decision-making have been questionable to say the least in recent years. They once built dynasties by spotting talent early—Messi, Iniesta, Busquets. But now they’re missing out on generational talents and overspending on players who don’t deliver.
Alvarez is now shining under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona fans are left wondering: what if? What if they had listened to Francescoli? What if they had spent wisely? What if Alvarez was leading their attack instead of Torres struggling?
What’s Next for Alvarez?
Alvarez is on international duty with Argentina, likely to start in their World Cup Qualifier against Brazil. His career is rocketing while Barcelona is left to nurse their wounds from another transfer blunder.
Final Thoughts
Barcelona’s transfer policy has been a rollercoaster—mostly with steep drops. Missing out on Alvarez for €22m might just go down as one of their biggest what could have been’s. And as Alvarez thrives elsewhere, Barca fans can only hope the club learns from their mistakes. But let’s be real—history suggests otherwise.
