Barcelona defender Marc Bartra has decided to stay put at the Camp Nou, despite interest from several European heavyweights, according to Spanish daily Marca.

Bartra struggled for regular first team action under manager Luis Enrique and last season; he was reduced to a mere 25 appearances in all competitions as the Catalans collected a historic treble.




Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano has been the favoured centre-back pairing of the manager, and Bartra also has to contend with competition from Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen.

A clause in Bartra’s existing contract saw his buy-out clause drop to a mere €12m due to his limited first team apearances, raising the interest of several European outfits in the youngster.
 


Liverpool and Manchester City were reportedly interested in prising him away to the Premier League.

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Bartra’s former manager Pep Guardiola had also been linked with a move for the centre-back and sign him for Bayern Munich.

However, the 24-year-old is keen to stay put in Catalonia and fight for a spot in the first team.

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