The agent of new Barcelona signing Gustavo Maia has revealed Atletico Madrid and Liverpool were also in contact.
It was confirmed this week that Barca had struck terms with Sao Paulo for the 19 year-old attacking midfielder. The deal involves Barca paying an initial €1m, with a further €3.5m due this summer. Should Barca decide against the deal, they will lose the €1m deposit.
Meanwhile, Maia's agent Nilson Moura told Marca: "The person who saw him was a scout from Barcelona. We started talking and that possibility of trying to take him arose. (Barca director) André Cury had no participation. Negotiations went directly with them.
"They came to see him at the São Paulo Cup. He scored three goals and we began to negotiate. They did not even intend to close anything then, but since there was interest from other clubs such as Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool they hurried."
Moura added: "There were higher offers, but he always wanted to play for Barcelona. He said it even a few years ago in an interview and we saw it well also because his style combines perfectly with that of Barça."
