Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico has said he feels “let down” by his current club after they rejected a loan offer from Barcelona for his services during the January transfer window.
Los Cules officially registered or completed the signings of four players in January. Dani Alves, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Adama Traore are all now Barcelona players.
Read: Pierre-Emerick writes sad Arsenal goodbye note with big snub
The window went some way to solving squad depth problems at Barcelona. Alves can play in different positions, providing cover at right-back and in central midfield.
Aubameyang, meanwhile, fills the void left by the retirement of Sergio Aguero. Torres and Traore are both excellent options on either flank and through the middle if required.
Barca also managed to raise funds by terminating Yusuf Demir’s loan contract. Philippe Coutinho joined Aston Villa on a temporary arrangement that could be made permanent in the summer.
Read: How Barcelona used their Yusuf Demir deal to help with player registration issues
But there was one area they did not manage to strengthen. Jordi Alba is Barca’s undisputed first-choice left-back. However, behind him is youngster Alejandro Balde, who has made just one start in La Liga this season.
Barcelona attempted to sign Tagliafico
According to 90min, Barcelona put together a five-man shortlist of left-backs in January.
At the head of that list was Manchester United‘s Alex Telles. Also included was fellow Brazil international Alex Sandro. Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro was on the list, as well as Villarreal’s Alfonso Pedraza.
The fifth player that Barcelona were keen to sign was Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico.
The Argentina international has been of his club’s key players since joining from Independiente in 2018. However, he has been restricted to just 10 Eredivisie appearances this term. Furthermore, Daley Blind is often preferred at full-back.
Barcelona made an offer for the defender, but Ajax turned it down. Tagliafico has not reacted well to his club’s decision.
Tagliafico criticises Ajax
Speaking to AS (via Sport), Tagliafico said it was a “dream opportunity” to move to Barcelona and criticised how Ajax handled the bid.
He explained: “I feel that here [at Ajax], no matter if I keep a good level and work hard, I can’t compete for the place.
“In that moment, I got an irrejectable offer, and they did not let me go. I was let down. I understand that it was not an easy situation, given we’re in January. But in the end, both sides are hurt. Me, because I could not do what I wanted, and the club, because they have me still.
“I feel opportunities, you can’t let them pass by, and this was a unique chance to be able to go to a club like Barca. For me, it was a dream opportunity, and in the end, [Ajax] did not help me.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
