Former Real Madrid scout Manolo Romero has revealed how close they came to signing Barcelona great Lionel Messi.

Romero was Real's scout in Cataluyna during Vicente del Bosque's time in charge.

He said on SER Cataluyna: "An agent offered Messi to the Blancos. Leo was sitting in my car and with Gaggioli, who was following him at the time, we were watching a game at the Premia field.

"Gaggioli told us that Leo's Dad was very upset because he believed that he wouldn't be given opportunities and so he asked if we could take him to Real Madrid. I immediately replied that I would not wait for him to repeat it to me and that I would call those responsible. I did, they were with me in the car...

"Another one who could've worn the Los Merengues shirt is Sergio Busquets When he played for Jabac, the club had an agreement with Barça, but he didn't think he could have enough future projection for them and therefore there was already a fax for his transfer to Madrid, but when Barcelona found out and they reacted."