Asllani waited for Barça. Leipzig came instead

Fisnik Asllani was reportedly waiting for Barcelona to make a concrete move. He remained patient, but Barça’s current plan consists mainly of looking towards Madrid and hoping Julián Álvarez can open Atlético’s door himself. Even a dream move has an expiry date.

According to Sky Sport’s Florian Plettenberg, RB Leipzig have reached a full agreement with Hoffenheim. The 23-year-old striker will cost €25 million, sign a contract until 2031 and undergo his medical on Thursday. Asllani had previously admitted that he wanted to play for Barcelona and reportedly delayed accepting Leipzig’s offer while waiting for a signal from Catalonia. That signal never came.

This is not a story about Barça missing out on the next Lewandowski. It is a story about a club keeping every alternative in the waiting room until the room starts emptying itself. Leipzig will pay €25 million and get a striker. Barcelona will pay nothing and once again be left with their grand plan.