Viva Barca
Mauricio Lemos the Las Palmas defender has revealed he rejected a move to Barcelona last summer he says he has no regrets in an interview with La Republica. The club were in talks with the player and the club he was about to sign for from Russian side Rubin Kazan, UD Las Palmas, Barça’s rival in La Liga this weekend.
“The sporting director Robert Fernandez told me (Barça) were interested and that they were willing to give me an opportunity,” Lemos told La Republica.
“But I was in contract talks with Las Palmas because I was only on loan from Rubin Kazan (with an option to buy) and if I didn’t sort things out I’d have had to go back to Russia.
“It was a tough summer. I didn’t know where my future would be.
“I spoke about it with my family and decided not to go (to Barcelona). I felt it was for the best.
“Many players go due to the name of the club, but what are they going for? If one day I move to a big club like that, my intention is to be a regular.
“The offer didn’t convince me. We weren’t talking about money, strictly football — I am not thinking about money right now, just about growing as a player.
“I came from Russia to a team where I can do that. Las Palmas gives me the opportunity to show what I can do. I want to keep getting better and if I go to another team, it will be to keep playing and getting minutes.”
