Spanish giants FC Barcelona rejected the chance to sign in-form striker Erling Braut Haaland a year ago, opting to sign Tottenham Kevin-Prince Boateng instead.
The Catalans signed the Italian midfielder while he was on loan at Sassuolo. However, the move panned out to be a bad choice as Boateng barely managed to stay fit during his time at the Nou Camp. He only made 4 appearances for the Blaugrana before returning to Italy.
On the other hand, Haaland came out with flying colors this season. The Norwegian international scored 28 goals in 22 games in the Austrian top-tier. His impressive goal haul enabled him to secure a £17m move to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
Barcelona are currently said to be scouring the market for a striker as a backup for the aging Luis Suarez. They also considered Haaland for the role but decided against making a move for him, branding him as a player with not enough experience.
Meanwhile, Manchester United had also shown a concrete interest in signing the 19-year-old prodigy. However, the Red Devils were against giving a percentage of his future transfer fee to his agent Mino Raiola and father Alfe-Inge Haaland.
Haaland himself revealed that Borussia Dortmund’s eager approach was the reason why he signed for them.
“The club said directly: ‘we need you upfront. We like your playing style and we want to have you here’,” Haaland told BVB.TV.
“I liked how they spoke to me then and that’s what triggered me. That’s when I felt that me and Dortmund was a good match.”
The Norwegian international could make his debut this month itself as he looks to live up to his new reputation in his new surroundings.