Interest in Alvaro Morata was high during the January transfer window.
Following a difficult first-half of the season at Stamford Bridge, it became clear that the Spain international's days at the club were numbered and amid talk of a replacement coming in he was allowed to leave.
As Gonzalo Higuain joined the Blues on loan, Morata's 18-month loan deal with Atletico Madrid was finally confirmed during the final week of the January transfer window
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However, it has been revealed by Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde that he was interested in signing the striker before the shock decision to bring in former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.
"It's true there were conversations with him but also with other players," the Barca boss said. "He signed for Atletico Madrid, he is playing in the starting 11.
"Good. Here he was supposed to be the second striker, a different role than he has with Atletico.
"Every player must think about what he wants. Sometimes there are just meaningless conversations.
"We finally signed Kevin-Prince. We hope he can help us."
Morata was a second half substitute for Atleti against Barcelona on Saturday evening, in a game that was overshadowed by ex-Blues star Diego Costa's sending off after 27 minutes at the Camp Nou.
The dismissal proved to be too much for the visitors to overcome as late goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi sealed victory for the hosts and extended their lead to 11 points with seven games to play.
Morata was starved of service when he came on and was not able to add to his
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