5 world-class footballers Barcelona failed to sign 

Barcelona's status over the years as a European powerhouse has enabled them to secure any transfer of their liking. The Catalans possess the pulling power that many clubs aspire to achieve. As a result, they have been able to complete some of the biggest transfers in the history of the sport. At the time of writing, Barcelona have three entries in the top six of the most expensive transfers of all time.

Transfers that Barcelona failed to capitalize on

Barcelona have established an unwanted reputation when it comes to transfer dealings. Their abysmal record in the market transcends the limit a club of their stature should be associated with. Aside from the usual suspects, i.e. Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona have a hoard of underwhelming transfers in their otherwise rich history.

In Andre Gomes and Malcom, Barcelona seemed to have acquired two of the most promising prospects. However, what was meant to be an investment for a secure future, turned out to be an absolute disaster and the two were sold for substantial losses. This is but one chapter in a long line of disappointments.

Despite their elite pulling power, Barcelona have still fallen short when it comes to getting signings over the line in the past. Without further delay, let's take a look at five notable instances where the Spanish giants had to admit defeat in their pursuit of desired targets:

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#5 Marco Verratti

Verratti was a mainstay for Italy in Euro 2020

Barcelona were at the height of their powers in 2017, completely different from their current situation. Having lost midfield maestro Xavi to Qatari outfit Al-Sadd in 2015, Blaugrana had failed to bring in an adequate replacement. Therefore, Barcelona set their eyes on PSG stalwart Marco Verratti.

The Catalan giants went all in to secure the Italian's signature, submitting transfer bids of upto €100m according to reports. Verratti's representative at the time, Donato Di Campli, confirmed in a recent interview that his client was also eager to take up the proposed challenge in Spain. In an exclusive interview with L'Equipe, he stated:

"He told me to talk with them. He said 'OK, let's try another experiment'. Marco really wanted to go to Barcelona. He texted Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] to tell him, I kept it."

Another reason behind Verratti's keenness to procure this transfer was his desire to play with Lionel Messi. However, in the end, nothing materialized and the Italian international still remains contracted to PSG.

To make matters worse, the French giants were able to strike back by snapping up Neymar for a world record fee of €222m that summer. Four years later, PSG raided Camp Nou for the second time, acquiring Lionel Messi on a free transfer. Verratti will now play alongside Messi, albeit in a PSG shirt.

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#4 Gianluigi Buffon

Buffon is a certified legend of the game

In 2001, a 23-year-old Gianluigi Buffon emerged as one of the hottest properties in football. The Italian shot-stopper had thoroughly impressed in his six seasons with boyhood club Parma, catching the attention of every elite club. Subsequently, a potential transfer to one of the top continental giants seemed imminent.

Following Ruud Hesp's departure at the start of the millennium, Barcelona were on the lookout for an adept replacement between the sticks. At the time, Pepe Reina was just 17 and not yet ready for first-team duties. In an attempt to solve their goalkeeping woes, Barcelona made it their aim to poach Buffon from Parma.

However, the Azzurri legend had different plans. After lengthy discussions with his father, Buffon decided to stay put in Italy and signed a bumper deal with Juventus that very summer.

The magisterial goalkeeper went on to spend 19 glorious years in Turin, establishing himself as one of the best in the sport's history. In a repeat episode, Buffon once again fended off Barcelona's advancements this season, instead settling on a free transfer to Parma.

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#3 Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has been prolific everywhere he has gone

The idea of Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo securing a transfer to their arch-rivals Barcelona seems too absurd to be true. However, such a scenario was just moments away from attaining factual status in 2003. At the time, Ronaldo was still plying his trade at Sporting CP.

Having recently gained the presidential position at Barcelona, Joan Laporta introduced a new transfer policy at Camp Nou. The Catalan politician had already authorized the signings of Ronaldinho and Rafael Marquez and was looking to add Deco to the club's ranks.

However, due to a lack of funds, Deco's agent offered another one of his clients to Barcelona. At a nominal rate of €17m, the Spanish giants had the chance to sign a future megastar. Nevertheless, Laporta passed on the opportunity of a lifetime and instead, signed the Portuguese's teammate Ricardo Quaresma. While Ronaldo went on to become one of the most appreciated athletes of all time, Quaresma failed to fulfill his potential and was transferred to Porto after a solitary season at Camp Nou.

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#2 Alfredo Di Stefano

Di Stefano (R) was named honorary president of Real Madrid

Perhaps one of the most disputed transfers of all time, Alfredo Di Stefano's move to Real Madrid is still contested by many Barcelona fans. Following two impressive spells with River Plate and Millonarios, Di Stefano garnered a lot of attention from European clubs.

Barcelona were the first ones to spawn an inquiry about the status of the mercurial forward. However, Blaugrana initiated transfer proceedings with River Plate, the last FIFA-affiliated club to have had connections with the Argentine. This became a point of contention as Di Stefano had an ongoing contract with Millonarios at the time.

Sure enough, this ignited friction between the two Spanish giants, with Real Madrid also acquiring half of Di Stefano's rights. A solution was proposed by FIFA that would see the Argentine appear for both clubs in alternative seasons. This agreement soon fell through and Di Stefano was transferred to Los Blancos on a permanent basis. The legendary forward went on to win five European Cups with Madrid while Barcelona were left dumbfounded.

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#1 David Beckham

Beckham playing for Manchester United '99 Legends

In pole position is the infamous transfer saga of 2003, which starred David Beckham, a newly elected Joan Laporta, and Ronaldinho as its lead characters. Laporta's presidential campaign that year had a huge selling point: the promise to bring fan-favorite Beckham to Barcelona if the Catalan was to receive majority votes.

Following his nomination, Laporta convinced Barcelona fans that he already had plans to make do on his claims. With Beckham almost certain to part ways with Manchester United, Barcelona seemed to be his obvious destination. However, it was revealed that the international superstar had never agreed to personal terms with the club and was disappointed at it being used as a political pawn.

Real Madrid wasted no time in taking advantage of the situation and announced Beckham's transfer to the Bernabeu a few weeks later. In an attempt to save face, Laporta signed Ronaldinho as the Englishman's replacement. Safe to say, this transfer merry-go-round completely rewrote the history of the El Clasico rivals as Ronaldinho went on to earn legendary status at Barcelona.

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