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'I did not even listen'

Barcelona wonderkid Sergi Samper reveals he rejected Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger last summer

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BARCELONA star Sergi Samper told Arsene Wenger he "did not want to listen" to Arsene Wenger's offers last summer.

The 21-year-old is at Grenada on-loan for the season to gain valuable first-team experience as Sergi Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic are ahead of his at the Nou Camp.

 Sergi Samper rejected a move to Arsenal in the summer
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Sergi Samper rejected a move to Arsenal in the summerCredit: Getty Images
 Arsene Wenger wanted Sergi Samper at Arsenal but the defender rejected the offer
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Arsene Wenger wanted Sergi Samper at Arsenal but the defender rejected the offerCredit: Getty Images

And the Spanish defensive midfielder revealed he turned down a move to the Emirates as he believes he still has a future at the Catalan club.


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Sampa told Sport: "I did not want to even listen to Wenger.

"I made it clear to him that I wanted to stay, that I wanted to triumph at Barca, that I was a Cule fanatic and that making it at Barca in the future would make me the happiest."

Arsenal had approached Samper in the summer before he was shipped out on loan but signed a new three-year deal with the club he has been at since the age of six.

 Sergi Samper is currently on loan at Grenada in La Liga
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Sergi Samper is currently on loan at Grenada in La LigaCredit: Getty Images
 Sergi Samper believes his future is with Barcelona, who he has been with since he was six
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 Sergi Samper believes his future is with Barcelona, who he has been with since he was sixCredit: Getty Images
 Sergi Samper is on loan until the end of the season with Grenada
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Sergi Samper is on loan until the end of the season with GrenadaCredit: Getty Images

And the minimum fee release clause for the defensive midfielder is already a whopping £42m.

Samper has played just once for Barcelona but has made 13 top-flight appearances for second-from-bottom Grenada.

But the Spain Under-21 international is sure he made the right decision to join the La Liga strugglers and wants to help them avoid relegation before returning to Barca.

Samper added: "I feel important in the team.

"I am enjoying where I am and I hope that we can change the situation."

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