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In the summer of 2020, Lautaro Martinez was a name that FC Barcelona was eagerly looking for. The Catalan team's leadership at that time had envisioned that he would be a worthy successor to the striker position, but an unexpected event, which no one could have foreseen, turned the wheel of history in a different direction, leaving the "Blaugrana" fans with an inconsolable regret.
Rewind to May 2019, after the humiliating defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona began their search for a new “number 9”, a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, whose age and injuries were starting to take their toll. Among the list of potential targets, Martinez emerged as the leading candidate, possessing all the qualities that Barcelona’s coaching staff expected: youth, speed, versatile finishing skills and the ability to link up play well.
However, just two weeks later, a somewhat hasty decision by Suarez himself complicated the situation. The Uruguayan striker decided to undergo surgery to permanently resolve the problem of his meniscus without consulting the club's medical team. This action caused a lot of disappointment among the Barcelona leadership. However, it also strengthened the determination to recruit Martinez, who was considered the ideal replacement for the future.
As plans for the new season were being meticulously drawn up, Barcelona began serious negotiations with Martinez through his representatives. In March 2020, two senior club officials, Ramon Planes and Oscar Grau, even flew to Miami to finalize the paperwork for a transfer that was expected to bring Martinez to the Nou Camp. Everything seemed to be on track, with a bright future awaiting both Martinez and Barcelona.
However, a global earthquake hit, shaking all plans. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic shook the world, and football was no exception. Countries simultaneously issued lockdown orders, economic activities stagnated, and Barcelona, a club famous for its huge revenue from tourism and commercial activities, faced a serious decline in revenue.
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Martinez is now an icon of Inter Milan. |
In an unprecedented financial climate, the Martinez deal became economically impossible. Despite having previously prepared an estimated budget of up to 60 million euros for this deal, Barcelona was forced to swallow their tears and give up their dream of owning the Argentine striker. A painful decision, but a reluctant choice in dire circumstances.
Ironically, the summer of 2020 still saw the departure of Luis Suarez, who later joined Atletico Madrid. The departure of "El Pistolero" further deepened the gap in the "Blaugrana" attack, forcing them to turn to other targets, "fire-fighting" options that did not really meet expectations.
Time flies, now, Martinez has risen to become the captain of Inter Milan, an icon at Giuseppe Meazza and one of the top strikers in Serie A. He has affirmed his class, shouldered the responsibility and led the "Nerazzurri" to success.
In the 2024/25 season, Martinez will once again face Barcelona in the Champions League, but in the minds of many “Blaugrana” fans, there is always a lingering question: what would have happened if the Covid-19 pandemic had not struck, not disrupting that promising transfer plan?
Another chapter of history could have been written, with Lautaro Martinez wearing the red and blue shirt, alongside other stars in Catalonia. But unfortunately, history chose a different path, leaving behind a regrettable transfer story, an "if only" that will forever remain unanswered.
Source: https://znews.vn/bien-co-khong-ngo-khien-barcelona-mua-hut-martinez-post1547068.html
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