It's the ultimate 'what if' in modern football: Kylian Mbappé in a Barcelona shirt. Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu has sensationally confirmed that this alternate reality was closer than fans ever imagined, following Neymar's earth-shattering exit.
Key Revelations from Bartomeu
- Barcelona aggressively pursued Kylian Mbappé in 2017 after Neymar's shock departure to PSG.
- The club's coaching staff ultimately preferred Ousmane Dembélé over Mbappé.
- Monaco's €180 million valuation for Mbappé was a significant barrier for Barca.
- Bartomeu admits the Neymar transfer blindsided the club, forcing a rapid market search.
The Shockwave: Neymar's Exit and Barca's Panic
The football world was rocked in 2017 when Neymar sensationally departed Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking €222 million deal. Bartomeu has now publicly stated that Barcelona was completely unprepared for this seismic shift.
"Neymar’s departure came as a shock to the club; we didn’t want him to leave," Bartomeu confessed. This unexpected void ignited a frantic search for a world-class replacement, leading the Catalan giants to eye the brightest young talents on the market.
Mbappé vs. Dembélé: A Pivotal Transfer Fork in the Road
With Neymar gone, two names quickly rose to the top of Barcelona's wishlist: Kylian Mbappé, then a dazzling sensation at Monaco, and Ousmane Dembélé, an electrifying winger at Borussia Dortmund. Bartomeu confirmed that simultaneous efforts were made for both phenoms.
The Coaching Staff's Decisive Choice
In a revelation that will forever fuel fan debate, Bartomeu clarified the internal process. "We made an offer for Mbappé and another for Dembélé. The coaching staff preferred Dembélé." This preference from the technical department ultimately swayed Barca's decision.
Barcelona then proceeded to finalize a €105 million deal (plus add-ons) for Dembélé from Borussia Dortmund. This choice meant passing on a generational talent who would later become a global superstar.
The Price Tag That Broke the Bank (for Some)
While the coaching staff's preference played a crucial role, the financial demands for Mbappé were equally daunting. Bartomeu highlighted the staggering asking price set by Monaco.
"It wasn’t an offer in the strict sense. They would say to you: he’s worth €180 million. If you want Mbappé, it’s €180 million, and Paris paid it," Bartomeu explained. This monumental fee proved to be a non-negotiable barrier for Barcelona at the time, leaving the path clear for PSG.
Lessons Learned: Bartomeu's Hands-Off Approach
Bartomeu used the opportunity to reflect on his administrative philosophy, emphasizing the importance of trusting sporting decisions to experts. He cited the controversial signing of Luis Suárez from Liverpool as a key learning experience.
"The only decision I made as president or as an administrator, and which I defended vigorously, was the signing of Suárez," he stated. "I was heavily criticised by all the media, so I learnt the lesson that the president or administrators cannot interfere in sporting matters. We must trust the technical staff, the sporting directors and the coaches; it is they who decide on signings."
