Tottenham Hotspur’s record signing Davinson Sanchez has revealed his response after being offered the opportunity to join Barcelona.
Sanchez moved to the club two years ago in a transfer deal which saw him become the most expensive player that chairman Daniel Levy has ever signed.
The young South American defender was certainly being pursued by other top clubs prior to his London switch and indeed, Barcelona were one of them.
The Spanish side were interested in signing Sanchez before the centre-back moved to Europe to join Ajax a few years ago.
But the main stipulation of the deal meant the Colombian would only join Barcelona’s B-side at the time.
Speaking in a very candid interview, Sanchez has revealed the decision he made after being offered that chance by the Spanish club and why he chose to turn it down.
“I wanted to go into the first team. Alongside Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique – I’d have improved.” he said, as per Marca
“Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol were in the team at centre-back at the time. I’d have put pressure on Puyol, for example. Why not?
“I was doing so well and I felt it was better maybe to wait for another opportunity to play football with the best players in the world.
“I felt I could do it. At that moment I didn’t have doubts to say: ‘No, maybe I have to improve more.’”