Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has admitted he considered signing Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez last month.
Tevez was linked with a number of clubs throughout the January transfer window including AC Milan, rivals Inter, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
It was thought AC Milan were considering making a late bid to sign the Argentina international on transfer deadline day after talks between the two clubs broke down earlier in the month, while there had been reports in British newspapers of a loan move to Liverpool.
On Tuesday it was reported that Barca officials were approached by Tevez' representative, Kia Joorabchian, who said his client would love to play for the Catalans.
And although those reports were shot down, Guardiola has confirmed that he considered making a move for the 27-year-old.
But the Spaniard and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta decided against the move, despite being without long-term injury absentee David Villa for the rest of the season.
"Tevez? We thought about the option," Guardiola was quoted by The Times as saying.
"But I value the academy, we will count on youth."
Tevez now looks set to stay at the Etihad Stadium until the summer unless he can secure a move to Russia or a return to South America in the coming weeks.