Barcelona pushed hard to sign Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler as a 16 year-old, it has been revealed.

Former Barca player Pep Serer, who was a youth scout in 2015, has revealed delays over pro contract talks between Soler and Valencia almost saw the midfielder ferried away to La Masia.

Only the intervention of then sports director Jesus Garcia Pitarch stopped Soler from leaving, as academy directors weren't convinced about keeping the midfielder around.

Former Barca sports chief Robert Fernandez pushed to sign Soler and was willing to offer €1m in compensation. But in the end Garcia Pitarch put his foot down and insisted Soler stay.

Less than a year later, Soler was making his first team debut at 17 years of age.