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| Luciano Vietto snubbed Barça to join Sevilla |
New Sevilla and Atletico Madrid players Luciano Vietto and Kevin Gameiro have both publicly explained the reason they decided to join their current clubs over a chance to play for La Liga Champions FC Barcelona and there is quite a huge similarity in their reasons which is the possibility of limited playing time at the club compared to their present clubs.
Following the arrivals of Denis Suarez, Samuel Umtiti, Andre Gomes and Lucas Digne, Barça look to make their final move of the summer transfer window by signing a forward to complement the ever-present Messi-Suarez-Neymar attacking trio and Kevin Gameiro and Luciano Vietto were the two prime targets to fill that role after the club missed out on signing Nolito who joined Manchester City, but at last, they missed out on both players who switched places from Atletico Madrid to Sevilla and vice versa.
It was clear lack of playing time was the major reason both players snubbed Barça and they have made it public in their recent press conferences with their respective clubs.
Kevin Gameiro joined Atletico Madrid from Sevilla for a fee of around €37 million and the player insisted he never had a second thought about rejecting Atleti and joining Barça as he felt he will play much more less at the Camp Nou.
“I would have only got a few minutes [at Barcelona]. Simeone told me he was looking for a player like me, who was able to offer something in defence and attack and also be a goalscorer. Above all, someone who could blend in with the collective.
“In fact, it was more likely that I’d stay at Sevilla than go to Barcelona. I knew that if I went to Barcelona, my situation would’ve been the fourth attacker. I think my playing time would’ve been reduced.”
These were the words of Kevin Gameiro to L'Equipe when questioned about the reason he didn't join Barça. Sevilla's Luciano Vietto who recently joined from Atletico Madrid also said he didn't join Barça because of the fear of sitting on the bench for a young player like himself.
“At my age, the most important thing is to have minutes and grow. In Sevilla I'm going to enjoy more minutes here than Barcelona and also, I think I'll have more opportunities in Sevilla than at Atleti.”
Vietto said these in his first interview with Cadena Ser.
It is obvious that the reason Barça are finding it hard to secure the signing of a good forward is the fear of not having enough playing time by the player. Now, there are other options for the Catalans as Mario Gomez have been linked with the club, and the recent rumour is that Gremio striker Luan Vieira is also a strong option to join Barça as reports claim he's accepted the submissive role. Barça hope to sign the striker they need before the Spanish Super Cup game against Sevilla.
