Marco Reus was waiting for an offer from Barcelona before the club moved for Luis Suarez instead, reports claim.
Mundo Deportivo say the Borussia Dortmund forward is a favourite of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and Reus was being lined-up for a move to Camp Nou before Suarez entered the frame.
Reus is said to be close friends with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and was ready to follow the goalkeeper to Catalonia, but the offer never came.
It’s been alleged by Bayern Munich managing director Karl Heinz Rummenigge that Reus can leave Dortmund next year for €25m but MD add Barca have fallen behind in the race to sign the Germany international.
Dortmund are said to fear that Bayern will swoop for Reus in the manner they did Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze and agree terms with the player now and complete the signing in 12 months.
Four Premier League teams – Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City – are also said to be keen, with the Reds to use the money they received from Barca for Suarez.
