Real Madrid made a serious attempt to prise Konrad de la Fuente away from Barcelona as a youth teamer, it has been revealed.
Konrad broke into Barca's first team during preseason, becoming the first US-born player to play senior football for the Catalans.
However, Sport says the winger could easily have been turning out for Real Madrid.
The son of a US diplomat, Konrad and his family settled in Barcelona, despite his father's work commitments being based in Madrid. Knowing the situation, Real Madrid made contact with the family and offered a place to Konrad - then 11 years of age - in their academy.
But while serious consideration was given the proposal, both Konrad and his family chose to remain with Barca.
Seven years on, Konrad is now pushing to be a member of Barca's first team squad for the new season.
