Barcelona wanted Stephan El Shaarawy

Barcelona were interested in signing Stephan El Shaarawy, according to the AC Milan striker's agent.

Roberto La Florio claims that Inter Milan were also interested in the 20-year-old before he eventually left Genoa for the Rossoneri in 2011.

"A lot of clubs were interested in signing Stephan at the time," he told Rai.

"Inter were keen to sign him, a number of Premier League sides wanted him and Barcelona were after him too if I remember correctly.

"Nevertheless, Milan acted quickly to snap him up before any other team made a move."

El Shaarawy has scored 16 goals in 26 Serie A appearances for Milan so far this season.