Speaking in an interview on Cadena SER's Que t'hi Jugues , RCD Espanyol winger Bryan Zaragoza has revealed that he was close to joining FC Barcelona in the past.
The 25-year-old, who is on loan at Espanyol from Bayern Munich , admitted that there had been contacts about a potential move to the Spotify Camp Nou, but it ultimately did not lead to a transfer.
"There was indeed a possibility that I would sign with Barça. There were contacts,"Zaragoza acknowledged.
While he did not reveal when the talks took place, in a previous interview, Zaragoza had confirmed that it had happened before his move to Bayern Munich from Granada in the winter transfer window of 2024.
"There was a possibility but nothing was finalized, but what appeared in the press was reality. Before signing with Bayern there were conversations, I spoke with Barça,"he had revealed .
Zaragoza is currently on loan at Espanyol. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Not long after that, Barça were again linked with Zaragoza as a possible alternative for Nico Williams during the summer transfer window of 2024, but once again no move materialised.
During the interview, Zaragoza also recalled his breakthrough performance at Granada against Barcelona, which put him on the map in Europe.
"There are people who say I'm only a footballer because of that match. I was a player nobody knew, and there are very few people who put in a performance like that against Barça,"the winger stated.
Beyond that, Zaragoza also spoke about Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, whom he has played alongside for the Spain national team and with whom he has developed a friendship.
Zaragoza does not hide his admiration for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
"Lamine and I get along really well on the national team. We've been on vacation together; we're friends,"the 25-year-old winger revealed.
And when asked about his footballing idols, Zaragoza had no hesitation in naming two Barcelona legends, as he replied:
"My idol, and the best player, is Messi . And I really liked Neymar."
It is unlikely that these comments will go down well with the Espanyol fanbase, considering that the club's sporting director Monchi was recently forced to issue an apology after picking Lamine as his choice to win the Ballon d'Or.
