Ghana forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has headed back to Sassuolo after Barcelona refused to activate their option to buy after a six-month loan.

The 32-year-old Ghanaian had made a big impact in Serie A with five goals and an assist in 15 competitive games.

It was enough to earn him a dream winter move to Barcelona, but Boateng ended up only playing a total 123 minutes of football.

He has returned to the Mapei Stadium after the Blaugrana refused to activate their €8m option to buy.

The next move could be to stay at Sassuolo with Coach Roberto De Zerbi or seek a transfer elsewhere.

Boateng’s previous clubs include Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund, Genoa, Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt and Las Palmas.