The Spanish Press claim Marc Bartra has decided to stay at Barcelona this summer, despite a clause which allows him to leave for a cut-price fee.
The defender confirmed after Spain’s recent friendly against Costa Rica that he could leave for just €12m as he did not play enough games for La Blaugrana last season.
However, he now seems intent on preparing for his fourth season with the first team after opting to stay loyal to the Catalans and being given assurances that Vicente del Bosque would continue to select him for La Roja.
It is also believed that his decision was heavily weighted by the prospect of becoming a father in August.
Nonetheless, Bartra remains Barca’s fourth-choice centre-back, with Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu currently above him in the pecking order, while Thomas Vermaelen’s return to fitness could see him pushed down further.
