Defender Bartra has no plans to leave Barcelona

Barcelona and Spain defender Marc Bartra insists that he has no intention of leaving the Catalonian club this summer despite reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

A number of clubs have been alerted to the situation – with the aforementioned article naming both Arsenal and Liverpool – but Bartra has now distanced himself from a move, insisting he never thought about a departure.

“Every year, the same thing [my future] is discussed [in the media], but my only thought was and remains staying at Barca”, he was quoted as saying by Marca. “I have it all here”.

The defender has been at the Camp Nou since 2010 but the 24-year-old is yet to make 50 appearances for the club, with the likes of Gerard Pique, Jeremy Mathieu, Javier Mascherano and former skipper Carlos Puyol ahead in the pecking order.

Bartra played an important, albeit not a key role, in Barcelona’s treble last season.

Despite helping Barca to La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League titles, Bartra has been heavily linked with Serie A side Napoli in recent weeks. But the return to fitness of Thomas Vermaelen, who missed virtually the entire campaign because of injury, could limit his options still further. “Feeling important in a team like this one is special”.