Barcelona fans have their say on what signings they wish had worked out

Barcelona fans have their say on the club's failed signings.

WHAT'S BUZZIN Barcelona fans have their say on what signings they wish had worked out

David Ben 21:04 - 16.01.2023

Barcelona fans on social media certainly have regrets over a couple of transfer businesses done in the last five years.

Barcelona has had its fair share of failed transfers over the course of the last decade.

The Blaugrana have been notorious for spending big on star players similar to their arch-rivals in Spain - Real Madrid.

However, not all that glittered turned out to be solid Gold as the Catalans were made to count their losses on some serious big-money moves.

Barcelona fans on social media have not also held back in airing their frustrations at these superstars for failing to live up to the fee the club paid so heavily to acquire their services.

Regardless, the Blaugrana have had no choice but to usher some of these players out the exit door, having fallen into a chaotic financial mess in the seasons that followed, with success rather largely dependent on one player than the exotic recruits.

Barcelona fans react on social media over failed transfer post

Barcelona fans

Following a recent poll by a Barcelona fan page, Cules have expressed their honest thoughts on what signings they would have loved to see succeed at the Camp Nou but didn’t.

Three names seemed to be mentioned the most among all - Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann, and Arthur Melo.

Here’s what’s buzzin.

Antoine Griezmann Barcelona Career Timeline

Antoine Griezmann for Barcelona
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Among some popular replies was 31-year-old France International Antoine Griezmann.

Having initially toyed with Barca’s emotions by publicly declaring his love for Atletico Madrid, the talented playmaker sealed a switch to the Camp Nou in July 2019 on a five-year contract after Barca activated his €120 million buy-out clause.

However, as glittering as the move seemed, things didn’t quite turn out well for the Frenchman who failed to impress,mostly lacking consistency with his performances.

Although, he looked a different player with Les Blues - forcing fans to suggest he didn’t quite fit into Barca’s system having been deployed in a number of roles in attack.

However, Griezmann didn’t leave the club empty handed having scored the first goal in a 4–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final in 2021 under coach Ronald Koeman.

During his time at the Camp Nou, Griezmann scored 22 goals in 74 appearances for the Blaugrana before his return to his longtime true love.

Philippe Coutinho Barcelona Career Timeline

Philippe Coutinho for Barcelona
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Prior to his arrival in January 2018, the 30-year-old Brazilian playmaker was easily one of the best players in the Premier League.

The former Liverpool midfielder sealed a £142 million move with all sorts of clauses being met by Barcelona - making him the second most expensive player of all time and the World’s most expensive midfielder as of 2022.

However, for some reason, Coutinho failed to replicate his brilliant form in England at the Camp Nou to the disappointment of Culers worldwide.

In 2019, he would finally leave on loan to Bayern Munich where he managed to find his form again, and even netted twice while creating an assist in the Bavarians humiliation of the Blaugrana in the 2019/20 Champions League season.

With the arrival of Ronald Koeman, Coutinho returned to the club and started brightly. 

But an injury in the early part of the season saw his miss the remainder of the campaign as Barcelona finished third on the summit.

The following season Coutinho made his return to the Premier League with Aston Villa on loan before eventually sealing a permanent switch, the following year.

Arthur Melo Barcelona Career Timeline

Arthur Melo for Barcelona
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Initially believed to be the heir-apparent to current coach and club legend Xavi Hernandez.

Arthur arrived Barcelona from Brazilian side Gremio for an initial fee of €31 million plus €9 million in added variables on a six-year contract in 2018.

However, having failed to impress due to his inconsistency on the pitch, Barcelona cashed in on him in 2020 after reaching an agreement with Juventus on a five-year contract for €72 million, plus €10 million in variables. 

The deal would also include Miralem Pjanic making a swap to the Camp Nou.

Still failing to nail down a starting shirt at the Allianz Stadium, he was loaned to Liverpool and eventually relegated to train with the u-21s due to his physical condition levels.