Barcelona made a last-minute attempt to sign Alex Costa while he was undergoing medical examinations with Siviglia. Although Barcelona's offer was tempting, Costa's team decided to stay with the Siviglia project, turning down Barcelona's interest because of some bureaucratic delays in the Siviglia deal. Alex Costa, a 22-year-old striker from Ponferradina, had already verbally committed to a three-year contract with the Rojiblancos, with an official announcement expected soon. However, Barcelona's surprising and bold move occurred just as these bureaucratic issues arose. Siviglia, who had been quietly pursuing Costa for weeks, intended to place him in their B team with a clear progression to the first team, demonstrating their confidence in his potential. Despite Barcelona's approach, Costa's representatives, according to Estadio Deportivo, remained dedicated to Siviglia's plan for his development.