Defender Bartra no plans to leave Barca

FC Barcelona's Spain international defender Marc Bartra insists his future lies with the club despite signs pointing to a move elsewhere.

Bartra played an important, all be it not a key role in Barca's treble last season, but the return to fitness of Thomas Vermaelen, who missed virtually the entire campaign through injury could limit his options still further and he is in demand from other clubs both in Spain and Europe.

Despite those options, Bartra insists he has no plans to move.

"Every year people say the same things, but staying at Barca was and still is the only thing on my mind. I have everything I need here and feeling important in a team like this is special," he said from San Francisco where Barca are on tour.

"I'm excited about the coming season and we were really looking forward to coming to the United States. We've realized how many Barca fans there are here and that makes us happy," he added, pleased with the team's pre-season is progressing.

"We are working well on fitness though we still need to improve certain aspects," he said.

Bartra also criticized UEFA for their decision to fine Barcelona 30,000 euros for exhibiting pro-Catalan independence flags at the Champions League final in June.

"It was a wonderful final and it took place in a great atmosphere and the Barcelona fans don't deserve a punishment like this... The fans were spectacular and don't deserve this treatment. It's not normal what they've done to Barcelona's fans," commented the defender, who said, the best thing was that Barca had "brought the Champions League back home." Endit