Gabriel Martinelli has already become a firm favourite at Arsenal.
The teenager has burst onto the scene and made an immediate impact in the first-time since being unearthed from lowly Ituano and snapped up for just £5million in the summer.
But things could have been very different for the 18-year-old.
Much has been made of his multiple training sessions with Manchester United- and he has now admitted he was also snubbed by Barcelona before his move to the Emirates.
Nou Camp chiefs spotted the youngster and he enjoyed a trial spell in Spain before they decided against making an offer.
“Shortly before the Sao Paulo Cup I spent a few days training in Barcelona. I spent 15 days there," Martinelli told Marca.
“Barcelona invited me to train with them in La Masia but afterwards they didn't want to do anything with me, they didn't tell me anything.
"I went back to Ituano, I played Copinha and then I came to Arsenal.”
Martinelli did not train alongside Barcelona's first-team, instead being amongst the youth setup where he encountered Ansu Fati, another teenager who has recently burst onto the scene.
He recalled: “They were all very good, I took full advantage and gave my best.
“To see how they train, know the structure of the club, the city ... it was a dream come true.
“I even trained with Ansu Fati and we became friends. He helped me a lot there and is now playing in the main team.
"He is a boy who deserves everything that is happening to him. He is super humble and welcomed me really well there.”
Martinelli's stunning form has seen him linked with a move to Barcelona's rivals, Real Madrid.
But despite their reported interest, he insists he has not had any contact and remains fully focused on the Gunners.
Asked about Real Madrid, he said: "No, nothing has come to me.
"I am focused here doing my job at Arsenal and my head is here."
