Inter and Barca wanted El Shaarawy

Inter and Barcelona were amongst the clubs interested in Stephan El Shaarawy before Milan swooped.

The youngster was netted by the Rossoneri in the summer of 2011 on a co-ownership from Genoa after his revelatory campaign in Serie B with Padova.

Inter and Barcelona were amongst the clubs interested in Stephan El Shaarawy before Milan swooped.

The youngster was netted by the Rossoneri in the summer of 2011 on a co-ownership from Genoa after his revelatory campaign in Serie B with Padova.

A year later and he was signed outright from the Stadio Marassi outfit despite only contributing two Serie A goals for the Diavolo.

“There were a lot of sides chasing him,” Roberto La Florio told GR Parlamento on Monday afternoon.

“Inter wanted him, a number of English clubs and, if I remember correctly, Barcelona too. But Milan quickly made a raid for him –  they moved better than anyone else.”

El Shaarawy, now 20, is a full Italian international after netting 16 goals in 26 League games so far this season.