Veteran defender confirms Barcelona’s January interest: “You don’t say no to such clubs”

Borussia Dortmund defender Thomas Meunier has confirmed that Barcelona were, in fact, interested in him during the January transfer window, but admitted that the move was too difficult for everyone since there were not many days left for the window to slam shut.

In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN), the former PSG right-back explained why he had to go against his own desire and why Dortmund rejected Barcelona’s offer in the first place.

“It could have been a reality… Barcelona were looking for a reliable right-back for an affordable price, given their financial situation,” Meunier told HLN.

“I fit their profile. I have proven that this season. But when Dortmund called me about the offer they received from Barcelona, it immediately sounded like, ‘Sorry, you can’t leave.’”

The 30-year-old also explained that he had a brief chat with Barcelona’s sporting adviser Jordi Cruyff, who told Meunier the club wanted him on loan with an obligation to buy.

While Barcelona was, indeed, a tempting prospect, Meunier understands why Dortmund decided to keep him anyway.

“Barcelona, ​​that’s a train that only passes once in a lifetime. Dortmund is already a big club, but Barça… It’s unique. Just like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United are in their own way. 

“In principle you don’t say ‘no’ to such clubs. Mentally it was not simple. But I understand Dortmund, it was barely a week before the end of the window.”

He also said that if Barcelona had proposed a hefty offer, those sitting in Dortmund offices might have changed their minds.

“Maybe Dortmund would have said ‘yes’ if it had been a bid of €50 million, but that was unrealistic,” he added.

With all that said and done, it’s difficult to see Barcelona going for Meunier once again as it is expected that the team might as well go for a younger option instead. In that case, interest in Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui might pop up once again in the summer.