Chimy Ávila: I was close to signing for Barcelona until my injury

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The striker says he was very close to joining Barça

“I would have gone for Barcelona like a pig goes for a sweet potato.”

That’s the Argentine expression Chimy Ávila used to muse about his eagerness to join the Catalans, who he claims were fully interested in bringing him on last winter.

However, the deal never went through as Barcelona had too many non-EU players. One would have had to have left in the transfer window, or have gone on the long-term injury list, for Ávila to come in.

Chimy Ávila: If I hadn't gotten injured, I would have gone to Barcelona like a pig goes for a sweet potato.pic.twitter.com/1pekhwHgiz

— Luis Mazariegos (@luism8989) May 19, 2020

Instead, Ávila himself suffered a long-term injury, which killed any prospect of him joining. Ousmane Dembélé did get injured after, which opened up a spot for an emergency signing after the transfer window closed. But by then, Ávila was injured, and regardless, Dembélé was not a non-EU player.

Martin Braithwaite was signed instead.

Ávila revealed he was advised to refuse to play until he got his big move, but he turned down suggestions, saying he is happiest while playing.

“My commitment is with Osasuna, the one that is feeding my daughter is Osasuna, not Barça, not Real Madrid, not Inter Milan, none of them. I will fulfill my duties with the people who pay me today,” he said.

Source: barcablaugranes.com