Juventus striker Paulo Dybala has confirmed that Barcelona tried to sign him in the summer.
It was reported throughout the transfer window that Barca were searching for another forward, with Gabriel Jesus, Kevin Gameiro and Luciano Vietto among those linked with the club before they eventually signed Paco Alcacer from Valencia.
Gustavo Mascardi, the agent who brought Dybala to Europe, previously said Barca offered Juve double the €32 million they paid to Palmero in 2015 for the 22-year-old, and the player himself has now backed up that claim in an interview with So Foot.
"Juventus rejected an offer from Barcelona for me," Dybala said. "It was a big offer and that means I'm an important player for the club and I have to thank them for that.
"It is difficult to reject these kinds of offers. What I have clear is that I'm at one of the best clubs in the world and I'm happy. If one day I decided to leave, it would only be for the good of the club and not for personal interests."
Dybala has never hidden the fact he would love to play for Barcelona and said while still playing for Palermo that he would swim there to sign for them, adding: "It's only just across the Mediterranean after all."
He has also been effusive in his praise of fellow Argentine Lionel Messi and recently stated his desire to play with the Barca star.
In 10 appearances this season, Dybala has scored four goals for Juve, while he netted 23 during his debut campaign with Massimiliano Allegri's side last term.