Barcelona wanted to sign 44-year-old veteran last summer, reveals agent

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been the no. 1 choice between the posts for Barcelona for more than half a decade now. His best self was seen during his stint under Ernesto Valverde when he was challenged by another talented goalkeeper in Jasper Cillissen.

However, since the arrival of Neto, coupled with his knee injuries, the German shot-stopper has been in less-than-adequate form. Barcelona saw this and wanted to add competition to the gloves by bringing in none other than Gianluigi Buffon last summer.

The 44-year-old has recently been awarded a contract renewal by Parma, and speaking about the same, his agent revealed that he was wanted by Barcelona.

“He could have stayed at Juventus, and Barcelona also wanted him. But he didn’t want to be a backup, he wanted to play,” he said, as quoted by MARCA.

“He has no regrets because he has played for one of the world’s biggest clubs. In the end [back in 2001], he opted for Juventus and wasn’t in Italy when negotiations took place. Now he’ll keep playing for the club he loves until he’s 46.”

It is reported that Barcelona also wanted to sign the Italian when he initially moved to Juventus in 2001, and he has been a subject of rumours multiple times since then.

As it stands, though, Neto continues to be the second-choice goalkeeper at Barça but could move away in the summer, as he continues to be extensively linked with an exit.