Revealed: How Barcelona missed out on €22m Julian Alvarez deal before Argentine made Manchester City switch, with Etihad Stadium outcast signed instead

According to a report by Barca Universal, the Catalan giants were offered the chance to secure Alvarez' services at a cut rate deal, while the player was still at River Plate. River's technical secretary Enzo Francescoli urged La Blaugrana to pursue Alvarez. Barcelona instead parted with €60m (£50m/$65m) to purchase Manchester City's Ferran Torres, allowing the Citizens to line up a move of their own for the Argentine a year later.

Barcelona will likely rue that mistake, as Alvarez has established himself as a bona fide superstar, both during his time in England, and now at Atletico Madrid. The 25-year-old joined Diego Simeone's side last summer, scoring 11 goals in 28 league appearances.

Since leaving Manchester, Alvarez has scored 31 league goals in 95 appearances. Ferran Torres has scored 18 goals in the same period of time.

Alvarez is currently away on national duty, and will likely start in Argentina's World Cup Qualifier against Brazil on Tuesday night. La Albiceleste currently sit top of the CONMEBOL qualification table.