Barcelona TURNED DOWN Erling Haaland in 2019 to instead sign Kevin Prince Boateng on loan

In recent years, Spanish giants Barcelona have made numerous bizarre signings. From signing Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande only to send him back to club after a year, to signing Martin Braithwaite in an €18 million deal from Leganes, several of Catalan club's acquisitions have been questionable. 

Erling Haaland to Barcelona?

Adding to long list of Barca's transfer failures, former director Javier Bordas revealed club had an opportunity to sign Erling Haaland from RB Salzburg in January 2019. However, Spanish side turned down Haaland, and instead, opted to sign Kevin Prince Boateng on loan from Sassuolo. 

During a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, Javier Bordas said several potential transfer targets were suggested to hierarchy but were eventually turned down by former President Josep Maria Bartomeu. Speaking of failed Erling Haaland transfer, Bordas said, "Because y told me that he (Haaland) was t a Barca (type) player. "I understand that Bartomeu igres technical secretary, but truth is that se players could have come, and n you don't kw what performance y are going to give."

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KP Boateng arrived on loan in January 2019, as club desperately looked for cover for striker Luis Suarez. Boateng made just four appearances in six months before heading back to Italy, to sign with Fiorentina. Meanwhile, Haaland has a breakout last season, where he scored 44 goals in 40 appearances. He moved to Dortmund at start of year, and has already scored 11 goals in 11 appearances. 

rwegian wasn't only talent turned down by Barcelona hierarchy. Bordas revealed likes of Ferran Torres, Alavaro Morata and ors could have joined club, but are w enjoying successful spells with or clubs. same window where KP Boateng arrived at club, Bordas said Catalans had almost agreed to a loan transfer for Alvaro Morata, who was unhappy at Chelsea. However, Barca's hesitance to complete deal allowed Atletico Madrid to swoop in and sign player under ir rivals' ses.

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"I thought in last few years that Suarez needed cover and re are t many who can, because Luis is one of best," he said. "A good one was Morata, who wanted to leave Chelsea. I talked to Bartomeu about it and he told me that he liked him a lot. I made a move for Morata and it was possible to bring him on loan, but technical secretariat rejected it and Boateng came."

Javier Bordas, a board member at Barcelona from 2005 to 2020, served as sporting director at club between 2014 and 2015. He exited club on October 26, 2020, same day Bartomeu resigned from his position as president. 

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(Im Credits: AP, Barcelona Twitter)