Barcelona’s failed move for La Liga youngster has turned into an unexpected win for Hansi Flick | OneFootball

Barcelona could have entered the season with Jorge Salinas competing for the left-back position. Instead, a failed summer deal has helped Hansi Flick uncover one of the more unexpected success stories in his squad.

Barça identified Salinas as a promising option at Racing Santander and explored a deal with the newly promoted club through his agent, Jorge Mendes. 

The two sides, though, were never close enough on the money to complete the transfer.

Barcelona were prepared to offer between €5 million and €6 million, while Racing held firm on the player’s €16m release clause, effectively ending the negotiations.

That decision now looks rather different given what has happened since.

Salinas was viewed as an investment

Barcelona’s interest was based on his ability to operate both at left-back and as a left-sided centre-back, combined with his age and potential, which made him an attractive fit for the club’s recruitment strategy.

The idea was not necessarily to hand him an immediate starting role. Barça instead viewed the Racing player as a longer-term investment who could develop within the club.

Barcelona were interested in signing Jorge Salinas. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Salinas has since started all five of Racing’s matches this season, completing every minute. 

His next challenge will be particularly demanding: facing Barcelona and attempting to contain Lamine Yamal, who arrives in prolific goalscoring form.

Notably, Flick ultimately solved his own left-back problem through a very different route.

Xavi Espart has seized the opportunity

As per Mundo Deportivo, with the Salinas deal falling through, Barcelona eventually brought Joao Cancelo in late in the window. 

Alejandro Balde remained another option, although he has yet to make his debut this season, while Gerard Martin has been converted into a centre-back.

Then there was Xavi Espart.

Xavi Espart has become a regular under Hansi Flick. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The German coach has trusted the youngster, and Espart has responded emphatically. He has featured in five of Barça’s six matches, starting every La Liga game, while contributing one goal and two assists.

The failed Salinas operation therefore inadvertently created the circumstances for Espart to establish himself.

Flick’s Lahm comparison suddenly looks justified

That is what makes the transfer story particularly interesting.

Barcelona may have missed out on a player they considered a valuable long-term investment, but the outcome has allowed Flick to discover an option already within his squad.

The manager previously compared Espart to legendary German full-back Philipp Lahm, a reference that might have seemed ambitious when first made. 

Five starts, a goal and two assists later, the comparison looks considerably less fanciful.