How Barcelona snubbed Enzo Fernandez & Julian Alvarez for €30m COMBINED

Stuart Telford

• 22 Dec 2022 07:53 CST
• 3 min read

Barcelona could have had Argentina World Cup stars Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez for a fraction of their current value had their scouts been more on the ball, according to Spanish media.

Barca have a rich history with Argentine footballers. The obvious example is Lionel Messi, who left for PSG in the summer of 2021 with 672 goals, 303 assists and 35 major honours to his name.

But a certain Diego Maradona was also on Barca's books until two years before he won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina, while Javier Mascherano, Javier Saviola and Sergio Aguero and more have also called Camp Nou home.

READ: Julian Alvarez: Man City already have their Haaland replacement

Spanish daily Sport suggest that Fernandez and Alvarez could have been added to their ranks for a combined €30 million when the pair were still at River Plate at the start of 2022.

Missed opportunity

Striker Alvarez agreed a €21.4m transfer to Manchester City at the end of that transfer window but spent the remainder of that season on loan with River, while midfielder Fernandez joined Benfica for €12m in July.

They were two of Argentina's best players as they won the World Cup in Qatar. Indeed, after seven-goal Messi and penalty hero Emi Martinez, they were the Albiceleste's two stand-out players.

READ: Premier League 'sharks' told to make Enzo Fernandez most expensive Argentine ever

Fernandez in particular has been linked with a big money move already. A central midfielder, he might be a viable long-term successor to Sergio Busquets, but Benfica are understood to want his €120m release clause met and Barca simply don't have that kind of money available.

Alvarez has played second fiddle to Erling Haaland at Man City this year - little wonder given the Norwegian has plundered 18 goals from just 13 Premier League games - but he can expect further inclusion after his World Cup heroics.

Alvarez was Argentina's second-top scorer with four goals, and is now rated at €41.7m by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm.