Liverpool hero Steve McManaman was wanted by Barcelona ahead of his move to Real Madrid, it has been revealed.

Barcelona's failure to sign Steve McManaman in 1997 lead to them signing Rivaldo instead, according to former Deportivo La Coruna president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro.

Rivaldo joined Barca from Deportivo in 1997 and went on to have enormous success at the Nou Camp, while McManaman remained at Liverpool until 1999 before joining Barca's rivals Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Lendoiro, speaking to La Vanguardia, says Barca's main target back then was McManaman, not Rivaldo.

Discussing Rivaldo's move to Barca, he said: “It was by chance. Barca did not want Rivaldo, they were going for McManaman."