Barcelona fans have plenty to cheer about after clinching a stunning domestic treble, including the Spanish Supercup, all capped off by dominant wins over arch-rivals Real Madrid.
From Bayern Interest to Barça Star: Pedri’s Path Almost Took a Different Turn
At the center of their success is Pedri, the midfield magician who has finally rediscovered his best form under the guidance of Hansi Flick.
But in a surprising twist, the same coach who unlocked Pedri’s potential at Barça nearly derailed his journey to the Camp Nou years earlier.
Back in 2019, Pedri was just a 16-year-old prodigy at Las Palmas when then-Barcelona Technical Secretary Ramon Planes spotted his rare talent.
Barca quickly moved to secure his signature for €5 million, a fee that could rise to €25 million with variables—most of which have now been fulfilled.
But before the young Spaniard could wear the iconic Blaugrana shirt, Bayern Munich—managed by none other than Hansi Flick—entered the race.
“After we closed the deal with Las Palmas, Bayern contacted us. Flick’s Bayern were very interested in Pedri,” Planes revealed in a recent interview with Cadena SER.
“Luckily, we had already signed him. But it was close.”
Barcelona initially considered sending Pedri out on loan to gain experience. However, after just a few training sessions, his brilliance was undeniable.
Even Lionel Messi took notice, reportedly asking, “Where did you find this kid?” It was clear to everyone at the club that Pedri was ready for the big stage.
Fast forward to the present, and Pedri is thriving under Flick—ironically the same man who almost took him to Germany.
Flick’s decision to drop him deeper into midfield, pairing him with Marc Casado and later Frenkie de Jong, has brought the best out of the Canary Islander.
From being nearly poached by Bayern to becoming a cornerstone of Barcelona’s midfield renaissance, Pedri’s story is one of resilience, timing, and a touch of fate.
And it seems, in the end, things worked out just as they were meant to.
