Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is being blamed for Barcelona's failure to land Villarreal midfielder Denis Suarez.

Barca had attempted to bring Denis back to the Nou Camp last month, but the deadline passed without a deal done.

Sport says Barca were thwarted by Florentino, who refused to loan Denis Cheryshev to Villarreal on Monday. The Yellow Submarine insisted Denis would only leave if they could find a replacement.

Cheryshev eventually joined Valencia, so leaving both Villarreal and Barca empty-handed.

Denis, however, is expected to return to Barca this summer.