Among Ariedo Braida's first pieces of business as Barcelona football director was to alert them to Angelo Fulgini.
While in charge of transfers at AC Milan, Braida made an attempt to prise Fulgini, having just turned 16, away from Valenciennes.
Two years on and Braida hasn't forgotten about the teenage fullback and has alerted Barca's 'technical committee' to the youngster's potential.
"There was a moment when AC Milan learned about me," Fulgini recalled earlier this year. "However, there was no direct approach.
"Instead, they spoke to my agent. I do not worry myself about these sort of things. I focus on my football."
This season, Fulgini's "football" has brought him to the attention of not only Braida at Barcelona. The right-sided fullback was linked with Manchester United earlier this month and attracted enquiries from Everton and AS Monaco during the January market.
Not bad for an 18 year-old with barely a handful of L2 games to his name.
But talent spotters have been aware of Fulgini since his breakthrough with the France U17 squad. He was called up by then coach Patrick Gonfalone initially as a central midfielder.
"He certainly had what it takes to play in the middle," recalled Gonfalone. "But I felt that with his game intelligence, sense of anticipation, his big heart and his resilience, he could be perfect as a right wing-back."
Gonfalone tried him in the new role against Romania.
"He walked it. It was so natural for him. I was amazed."
For Fulgini, the role comes naturally and by his own admission, he models his spectacular game on Barcelona star Daniel Alves.
"I do enjoy it. With my stamina and pace, I like to get forward as much as I can and help the attack."
The potential was always apparent, but it wasn't until this Ligue 2 season with Valenciennes that Fulgini proved he could compete at senior level.
Now Valenciennes' board, with Europe's biggest clubs knocking on their door, face a decision.
With Fulgini's current deal running to 2016, there is a belief the L2 outfit will cash in this summer. Indeed, some local sources claim they'll be happy to sell for a knockdown €500,000.
The defender is still to sign pro terms and insists if it was up to him, he'd happily continue his development with VA.
"Next season? I would be in Ligue 2 with VA and sign my first professional contract. For now, we have not started talking, but it's a goal. I think I will continue here."
Indeed, a source close to the Fulgini family tells tribalfootball.com he's happy where he is.
"Angelo is a great kid, a humble lad," said the source. "He's in no hurry to leave.
"He's happy at Valenciennes and wants to continue his development.
"The family are very grounded people. They know this can be a long career for Angelo, so why rush things? The next step for him is to sign pro with VA."
However, if the decision is taken out of Fulgini's hands and VA's board do decide to sell, then the likes of United and Everton will face an uphill task convincing the youngster about moving to England.
"The club that makes me dream, like many people, is Barca. Even if there is little chance that I'll play for them," says Fulgini.
Angelo shouldn't give up so quickly, particularly with a fan now pulling the transfer strings at Barcelona.
