Napoli star Dries Mertens claims he was a Blaugrana target

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Naples, Nov 26: Napoli ace Dries Mertens has revealed that La Liga Barcelona were interested in signing him during the summer transfer window but opted not to seek a transfer to the Catalan because of the stiff competition for places at Camp Nou

According to the Belgian, Barcelona came looking for him at the start of the Summer window and before Neymar's departure. He then decided to reject the move thinking that joining the five times UCL winners will make him a bench player behind the famous Trio.

But following the departure of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain left him considering his decision afterwards and at present, he still thinks about the change his career would have taken if he'd joined the Blaugrana. However, he is happy to be at the Stadio San Paolo and ready to help the Naples win their first major Silverware who are currently at the top of the table.

"Every now and then you feel like doing something different," Mertens told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. "I don't always go on vacation in the same place, but at this moment, a transfer is not in my plans.

"There was interest from them [Barcelona] for a while, but I would've been the reserve to Leo Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, so after a great year at Napoli I didn't want to go back on the bench, even if it was Barcelona.

"I decided to sign a new contract here and then Neymar went to Paris Saint-Germain, so the transfer market exploded.

"At times I think: 'What would I be like now at Barcelona?' I like to think that, because if you look at who has been playing on the left there in recent months, I could've played there."

Mertens who has been rejuvenated as a striker by Napoli boss Sarri scored 28 Serie A goals last season to help them finish third and this season also he has continued to maintain his scoring boot to register 10 goals in 13 Serie A appearances.