Lamela reveals Barca chance

Promising Roma youngster Erik Lamela claims Barcelona were interested in signing him when he was just 12 years old.

The Argentina international has been one of Roma’s standout players this season following his arrival at the Stadio Olimpico from River Plate last summer for a fee of 18 million euros.

According to 19-year-old Lamela, he could be plying his trade in La Liga had he accepted an offer to move to Barca when he was younger.

“It’s true, I was in Spain to play a tournament,” he told Goal.com

“I played all the games, and one in particular went pretty well,” he added, referring to a match in which he netted five times.

“There were scouts from Barcelona present who noticed my performance, so they were asking for information about me. But I stayed at River.”

Lamela said he does not regret his decision and is enjoying himself at Roma, playing alongside passionate locals Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi.

“Francesco and Daniele are Roma fans,” he said.

“They suffer when things are not going well because they care enormously about the shirt. They are two true leaders on the field.”

“Francesco made me feel at ease. He was very kind.”

Lamela has made 19 Serie A appearances for Roma so far this season, scoring one goal, which came on his debut against Palermo.