As Barcelona chased a fourth attacker to complement Messi, Neymar and Suarez, their interest in Brazilian Gabrial Barbosa was believed to be real and they are now ready to take Santos to court over his move to Inter Milan.

The Spanish club believe they had first refusal of the 20-year-old having agreed a fee for the player in 2013.

The Brazilian club say they sent the relevant paperwork to Barcelona to be completed in order to go through with the transfer but just a day later, he had been registered as an Inter Milan player and Barcelona were left empty-handed yet again.

The same happened in their pursuit of Kevin Gameiro, who eventually turned down their advances and moved to Atletico Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions eventually struck a deal for Valencia striker Paco Alcacer but there is reason to believe he was not their first, or indeed second, choice arrival. 

Barcelona claim the club did not send them enough detail in the paperwork and that they did not give them permission to sell the player to the Italian side. Barcelona are willing to enter the courtroom to settle matters, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Barcelona can do what they like,” said Santos president Modesto Roma.

“Let's not forget that they say they don't have to pay our €2m included in the deal for Neymar."