Barcelona attempted to sign young Manchester City forward Ferran Torres this summer, following a number of high profile departures.
A report from Spanish outlet Sport claims that the Premier League champions quickly dismissed the idea, telling their opposite numbers that the player's sale would not be sanctioned.
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However, according to the paper, there was definite interest from Barca, who could try once again to sign the player next summer.
Torres joined Manchester City in the summer of 2020 from Valencia, where the young winger first caught the eye with a series of impressive displays in La Liga and European competitions.
So far this season, the 21-year-old has scored two goals in four Premier League outings, with some of those appearances coming as a makeshift striker.
While he may not yet be a guaranteed starter at the club, the Spanish International is evidently highly regarded by City manager, Pep Guardiola.
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He's equally revered by Spain manager Luis Enrique, having scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for his national side.
Barca's interest should therefore come as little surprise, although it seems safe to assume that he won't be joining the club anytime soon.
Sport claim the La Liga side attempted to use a number of fringe players as make-weights in the deal for Torres, but were quickly dismissed by City's representatives.
Undeterred, new club president Joan Laporta could instead turn his attention to Raheem Sterling, with a number of publications recently linking the England international with a January loan move to Barcelona.
A loan deal for the out-of-favour 26-year-old is far more likely to be sanctioned by City, as opposed to the permanent transfer of Torres.
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This is due to a combination of Guardiola's obvious faith in the Spanish youngster, as well as Barcelona's dire finances.
While Torres returning to Spain seems like a nonstarter, we may see a Man City winger plying their trade in La Liga after all - as reports lining Sterling with a January exit refuse to go away.
With Barca in need of a new attacking hero and Sterling hungry for regular first-team football, it could be a deal well suited to both clubs - as well as the player.
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Barcelona, Ronald Koeman, Ferran Torres