La Liga midfielder reveals reason for snubbing Barcelona: “Would not fit my values”

Sergi Darder was one of the surprise names that were linked with a move to Barcelona, as the club were searching for a new midfielder.

A central midfielder by trade, Darder was considered a potential option to reinforce the ranks in the middle of the park, especially following the exit of Sergio Busquets.

Darder, though, did not join Barcelona, who ended up signing Oriol Romeu from Girona.

Darder reveals Barcelona decision

In a media interaction, Sergi Darder has explained his decision to refuse a move to Barcelona in the summer.

“On the first day when Barcelona calls you you say: ‘Are you going to Barcelona? Are you kidding me?’ And then you think it’s this thing that might change your life a little bit,” Darder said, as quoted by MonEsport.

The midfielder was referring to how a move to Camp Nou might have added a lot of clout to a career that was largely spent at Espanyol.

However, Darder explained that his ties with Espanyol played a key role in convincing him to refuse to move to Barça.

“But, when you think about it coldly, you say: ‘No, because I prefer many other things than going to Barça because of the feeling I have for Espanyol,'” he said.

“In the end, I was captain of Espanyol. It was really difficult to leave the club, and yet I left for Mallorca. Imagine if I went to the other side, which is Barcelona, ​​that would not fit my values,” he added.

Darder’s close ties with Espanyol

Sergi Darder began his youth career at Espanyol and although he started his professional career at Malaga, the midfielder is very close to the club.

Darder’s second spell at Espanyol began in 2018 when he joined the club for a fee of €8 million. He became a key figure in the Catalan club’s midfield, even becoming the captain in the process.

The midfielder, though, opted to move on this past summer by joining RCD Mallorca, once again for a fee of €8 million.

Darder has since featured in all of Mallorca’s matches this season, even racking up an assist.