From Transfer Target to UCL Rival: Lautaro’s Barcelona Move That Never Happened

As Inter Milan prepare to face Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi finals, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo has reignited fascinating “what if” scenario: Lautaro Martínez was just signature away from joining Barcelona in 2020.

Barca's Plan to Replace Suarez

After Barcelona’s 2019 champions league heartbreak at Anfield, the club started planning long term rebuild. When Luis Suarez opted for unexpected knee surgery weeks before the Copa del Rey final against Valencia a move that reportedly upset club officials Barca began urgently scouting for his replacement.

Lautaro, then emerging as top talent at Inter became the top target. Club executives saw him as the ideal heir to Suarez.

The Deal Was Nearly Done

In March 2020:

• Barca’s then technical secretary Ramón Planes & general director Oscar Grau flew to Miami
• They met with Lautaro’s representatives
• An agreement was reached on personal terms awaiting only official talks with Inter Milan
• Barca allocated 60 million euro plus expected player sales to finalize the deal

But then, COVID19 hit.

Pandemic Collapse

As lockdowns swept across Europe:

• Barca’s financial situation deteriorated rapidly
• Stadium and museum closures triggered sharp revenue drop
• The club was forced to abandon the Lautaro transfer altogether

The dream signing evaporated overnight leaving Barcelona scrambling for alternatives amid one of the worst financial crises in club history.

Full Circle Moment

Now, years later, Lautaro Martínez still at Inter and in world class form will line up against Barcelona in the Champions League semi finals. The striker they once nearly signed could now be the one to end their title hopes.

Had the deal gone through, Lautaro might have been Barca’s No9 today. Instead fate (and a pandemic) turned the page and now it’s payback time on the pitch.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.