Manchester City Star Very Close to Barcelona Move

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta could have signed Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany in 2012 but took too long to decide if he was worth it, according to Spanish reports.

The Belgian international, who joined City from Bundesliga side Hamburg SV in August 2008 for a fee around £6million, scored the consolation goal for the citizens in their Champions League defeat by Barcelona – he was one of the most notable players during the game.

According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, the 27-year-old was in Zubizarreta's top-list years ago and there were direct contacts exploring the possibilty of a move.

It was in 2012 when former coach Tito Vilanova, recently installed as Barca boss, asked the technical staff to speed up the search for a central defender – but Seydou Keita's surprise departure changed the plan. So instead midfielder, former Arsenal and Manchester United Alex Song became the new Barca signing.

Now the Catalan giants are reportedly searching for a successor to legendary centre-back Carles Puyol as he is leaving the club at the end of the season.

According to the Sunday People, Barca would have put Vincent Kompany on their wanted list again with a valuation of €23m for the Belgian international.