Nicolas Tagliafico has admitted that he is disappointed about missing the chance to join Barcelona in the January transfer window.
In an interview with AS, Nicolas Tagliafico has opened up about his failed transfer to Barcelona in the January transfer window. The Argentine defender has admitted that joining the Blaugrana was a dream opportunity for him and that he is disappointed to miss out on completing the switch.
Nicolas Tagliafico is at his lowest ebb as an Ajax player. In his initial years at the Dutch club, the 29-year-old was the undisputed first-choice left-back, but his stature has taken a hit this season, with Daley Blind usurping him in the pecking order.
As a result, the Argentine defender has started only six of the 29 games played by Ajax this season, chipping in with two goals and an assist in the process. The player’s situation had captured the attention of several clubs in the January transfer window, with Barcelona reportedly being his preferred destination.
Jordi Alba’s waning performance levels have forced Barcelona to start looking for options to replace the Spanish international in the long run. Several left-backs have emerged on Barcelona’s radar to that end, and Tagliafico was their priority option for the January transfer window.
But the Blaugrana could not finalise terms for a winter transfer, forcing them to call off their pursuit ahead of deadline day. Tagliafico has now opened up about his failed transfer in an interview with AS, admitting that he saw the prospect of joining Barcelona as a dream opportunity.
“They understood me, they have their motives but it’s a shame,” said the Argentine. “I feel that opportunities can’t be missed and it is a unique opportunity, to be able to go to a club like Barcelona. For me, it was a dream opportunity and they could not help me in the end.”
“There wasn’t clarity from the start. There was also no clarity to tell me from the beginning that they were not going to help me. I am disappointed because I have the feeling that my professionalism has damaged me.”
According to recent reports, Jose Gaya is now the priority target for Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window. But with the Spanish international in contract renewal talks with Valencia, the Catalan giants might need to keep their options open, meaning Tagliafico could come in contention to move to Camp Nou again.
