Barcelona technical committee member Ariedo Braida has ruled out a summer departure for Manchester City and Liverpool target Marc Bartra.
The 24-year-old’s buy-out clause, which was tied to the number of starts he made for the Barcelona senior team, has fallen from €50m to a mere €12m, thus making him a delectable target for major European outfits this summer.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich have been reported to be the leading sides to prise him away from the Camp Nou.
Liverpool are also said to be keen on acquiring the centre-back as they attempt to secure a top four place in the Premier League standings next term.
However, Braida has revealed that the reigning European champions harbour no intention of selling the defender that came through the club’s famed youth academy.
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“We have no intention of transferring him, therefore, I consider him to be a player who is unavailable”, Braida was quoted as saying by Spanish daily AS.
Bartra struggled to find a regular spot in the Barcelona first team under Luis Enrique, who preferred Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano as his first choice centre-back pairing.
The 24-year-old made 20 starts this season as Barcelona secured a treble of the league title, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
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