Rapid Vienna forward Yusuf Demir turned down the opportunity to sign for Inter ahead of his loan move to Barcelona, according to Spanish media.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Mundo Deportivo, the Austria international completed his move to the Camp Nou this month on a loan, and Barcelona have also secured an option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.
Demir had garnered plenty of interest after catching the eye with a string of impressive performances for Rapid, with Inter joined by Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg in attempting to sign him.
However, a desire to join Barcelona and to play alongside Lionel Messi meant that he was unwilling to negotiate with other clubs and the 18-year-old pushed for Rapid to allow him to move to Spain.
Demir, who has earned on cap for the Austrian national team, will initially link up with Barcelona’s B squad.
