PSV Eindhoven midfielder Richard Ledezma turned down a move to Barcelona last year, according to the United States youth international's father.
Ledezma, 18, was a reported target of Barcelona but signed for PSV in December having trained with the club's youth teams since the summer.
"There was an offer from Barcelona," Jorge Ledezma told Marca Claro. "The scout spoke to me personally and told me that they wanted to take Richard there [to Barcelona]. He [Richard] was very enthusiastic regarding that possibility, but in the end, we decided, together with his agent, that the best thing for his development was for him to go to PSV.
"We believe that he will receive more opportunities here than in Barcelona."
Ledezma made his professional debut in April and scored his first goal in June as he went on to make five total appearances for Real Monarchs.
A Real Salt Lake City youth product, Ledezma signed a contract with the Eredivisie champions until June 2020. He said via his Twitter account at the time: "I have signed my first professional contract with PSV. Thank you to all who believed in me, I can't wait for what the future holds for me!"
Born in Phoenix, Arizona to Mexican parents, Ledezma is a U.S. under-20 international but is also eligible to play for Mexico.
"I would like to see him playing in the Mexico national team, but I will always respect the choice my son makes," Ledezma Sr. said.