Bartra: I Feel Respected And I’m 100% Staying At Barca

The defender has made it crystal clear that he will not be leaving Barcelona anytime soon and is ready to give his all in order to play more games than he did last season

Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra has totally dismissed claims that he is set to leave the club for a move to Napoli claiming he isn’t listening to offers and is 100% sure of his stay.

“Napoli rumours? I’m not listening to offers. I’m 100% focused on Barça. My idea has always been to stay here,” he said.

“Every summer, there are always rumors, but in my head. I follow Barça. I have everything here. I feel important.”

Bartra also spoke on other issues, saying the club is happy with their experience in the USA.

“I’m so excited about the coming season and we were really up for coming to the United States. We’ve realised how many Barça fans there are here. That makes us happy.”

“The team is working well on fitness though we still need to improve certain aspects.”

Bartra also said he will work hard to appear more on the pitch for Barca than his 21 starts last season.

“I want to play more and my main goal is to beat the numbers I had in the team last season. Not only in minutes but also in helping the team.”

On the current situation linking team-mate Pedro Rodriguez with a move away from the club, Bartra believes it’s due to the star’s reduced playing time but hopes the forward stays.

“It’s back to the same old stories. We all want to play more. Pedro gives us so much. He’s a great teammate and we should all understand there are a lot of games in a season.”

“Titles aren’t won with just 11 players and I hope he stays. The person who has ruled out leaving is me. At the club they know my aim has always been to play for Barça.”

Finally, Bartra went on to speak on the potential competition he’ll face from Thomas Vermaelen who played just one game last season due to injuries.

“His (Vermaelen’s) reappearance brings more competition. That’s the best thing that could happen to me,” he said.

Bartra is with the team in the US and played a part in Barca’s 2-1 friendly win over LA Galaxy where he pulled off a wonderful assist for Barca’s first goal.