A remarkable “what if” scenario in elite football has come to light, with former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes revealing the club’s incredibly close attempts to sign both Darwin Nunez and Alexander Isak. These revelations offer fresh insights into Barcelona’s transfer strategy during a critical period, creating a compelling irony given that both formidable forwards are currently entangled in transfer sagas involving Liverpool.
During his tenure at Camp Nou from 2018 to 2021, Planes navigated a tumultuous landscape, marked by Barcelona’s deepening financial difficulties. Compounding these monetary woes was the urgent strategic imperative to identify a suitable, long-term successor for the legendary striker Luis Suarez. His departure left a significant void in the attacking line-up—a gap that proved surprisingly challenging to fill.
The pursuit of Darwin Nunez, in particular, was highly advanced. While Nunez was still making a name for himself at Almeria, Barcelona’s scouting network, operating under Planes’ astute direction, pinpointed him as a primary target. Crucially, Planes engaged in detailed discussions with then-manager Ronald Koeman, who fully supported the vision of developing Nunez in a manner akin to the successful integration of burgeoning talents like Pedri, showcasing a forward-thinking player development strategy.
Equally fervent was Barcelona’s interest in Alexander Isak, who was then a standout performer for Real Sociedad. The Catalan giants perceived Isak as a vital component for their future offensive blueprints. Negotiations for both players reportedly progressed to advanced stages, underscoring the club’s genuine commitment to securing these promising talents. However, various unforeseen circumstances ultimately derailed the proposed transfers at the eleventh hour, preventing their arrival at Camp Nou.
Planes has openly articulated his profound frustration regarding these missed opportunities. He lamented that the club’s inability to secure a long-term, reliable centre-forward became a persistent “thorn in our side,” symbolizing the broader systemic challenges Barcelona faced in effectively reshaping their squad while simultaneously grappling with immense financial constraints and the relentless pressure for on-field success.
Fast forward to the present, and Alexander Isak is once again dominating headlines, especially with Newcastle’s recent emphatic rejection of a colossal £110m bid from Liverpool. Since his significant £63m move from Real Sociedad in August 2022, Isak has consistently shone. Sources indicate his clear desire for a new challenge, with Liverpool reportedly his preferred destination, intensifying the drama of the current summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez’s tenure at Liverpool has been a tale of mixed fortunes since his £85m transfer from Benfica in the summer of 2022. Despite sporadic flashes of brilliance, he has grappled with consistency and adaptation, particularly under the tactical nuances of Arne Slot last season. This has fueled widespread speculation that Nunez is now widely expected to depart Anfield this summer, potentially marking an early conclusion to his time at the club.
The irony of the situation is striking: two players who were once on the cusp of joining Barcelona, envisioned as pivotal to their future, are now central to Liverpool’s ongoing transfer narratives. One is potentially arriving as a monumental acquisition, while the other faces an uncertain future and a possible exit from Anfield. This creates a curious intersection of fates, powerfully reinforcing the unpredictable and often circuitous nature of top-tier football transfers.
This historical insight not only illuminates Barcelona’s past strategic dilemmas but also serves as a poignant reminder of how critical transfer decisions, or the lack thereof, can profoundly impact a club’s long-term trajectory and the individual careers of elite players. It leaves fans contemplating the alternative realities that might have unfolded had these pivotal transfers materialized as initially envisioned by Ramon Planes.
