Speaking about signing Luis Suarez from Liverpool FC in 2014, former FC Barcelona Director of Football Andoni Zubizarreta revealed that it was Sergio Aguero and not the Uruguayan international, who was the club’s primary target.
However, the Liverpool FC striker was desperate to join the Catalans and hence eventually completed the move following his infamous biting incident in the 2014 World Cup. Despite a slow start to his career at Camp Nou, Suarez has established a lethal partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar as FC Barcelona went on to complete the treble in 2015.
Suárez wasn’t the first choice – he knows as much
As reported by MARCA, Zubizarreta revealed that FC Barcelona were initially keen on signing Sergio Aguero from Mancheester City instead of Luis Suarez.
“We had several options. Suárez wasn’t the first choice – he knows as much. In the winter we tried to sign Aguero, but it didn’t work out.
FC Barcelona’s former Director of Football also revealed that Suarez’s antics in the World Cup put off several clubs who were interested in acquiring his services. This, along with Suarez’s desire to join the club, helped FC Barcelona complete the transfer with Liverpool FC.
“The Chiellini incident [Suárez’s bite on the Italy defender] happened while the negotiations were ongoing. That business put off many of the clubs who were interested in him; there were question marks over his character and how serious his punishment would be.
“There was another key factor: from the beginning he was totally desperate to join Barça.”
Even though FC Barcelona missed out on bringing Sergio Aguero to Spain, recent reports have linked the Argentine international with a move to Real Madrid this summer. However, signing the striker from Manchester City could prove to be a herculean task for Real Madrid, despite their financial clout in Europe.
