Barcelona wanted to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City before buying Ferran Torres in January.
Barca swooped for Torres last month, paying €55m plus €10m.
The Times says last November, in front of certain journalists, a Barça director had promised a big recruit in January despite the financial problems.
And it was Sterling who was at the very top of the Blaugrana's list.
In the end, the Englishman did not leave the Citizens and instead it was Torres who was brought to Barca.
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