Report: Valencia Interested In Marc Bartra

Earlier in the summer, there were rumours that Marc Bartra was contemplating a move away from the Camp Nou -- possibly on loan to another La Liga club -- so that he could gain more first-team experience. However, given Barcelona's continued inability to sign a central defender, the rumours passed and it appeared as though Bartra might stay after all and even sign a new contract with his boyhood club. Yet here we are, a week or more into pre-season -- and Bartra has still not committed his future to the club, reportedly attracting interest from Valencia as a result.

Valencia may have missed out on a UEFA Champions League qualification place for the first time in four seasons, but remain one of the country's best club's and SuperDeporte report that Bartra may be interested in a move to the Mestalla, provided that Barcelona do eventually sign another central defender. With Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol already ahead of Bartra in the pecking order, the young defender is not convinced that he will receive enough game-time at the Camp Nou, and in order to further his career, he may need to start considering his options.

Given that his current contract expires next June, Bartra would likely be available at a cut-price if Valencia were looking for a permanent deal, which suits them perfectly given their current financial problems -- although Los Che are only rumoured to be interested in signing Bartra if Adil Rami leaves the club this summer. Rami has of course been linked with a move to Barcelona in the past.

Hopefully this is just a "planted" story, engineered to speed up the renewal process, or that Bartra is only interested in a loan move,. After losing Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich, Barca simply cannot afford to lose another one of their brightest talents.

More from Barca Blaugranes:

• FC Barcelona 2012/13 Season in Review: Marc Bartra
• FC Barcelona News: 25 July 2013: Barcelona Lose Against Bayern Munich, David Moyes Refuses To Give Up On Cesc Fabregas
• Does Sergi Roberto's Promotion Mark An Era Of Change At FC Barcelona?
• Highlights: Bayern Munich 2-0 FC Barcelona
• FC Barcelona 2012/13 Season in Review: Sergio Busquets