Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus turned down the chance to join Barcelona before signing a new four-year deal at the Bundesliga outfit, according to Marca.
Reus, 26, is one of the most sought-after players in Europe and it has now emerged that the Germany international had the chance to link up with Lionel Messi and Co., only to turn down the opportunity with doubts over his first-team involvement.
Barcelona’s current president Josep Maria Bartomeu had hoped to use the attacking midfielder as his trump card for the elections this summer, but failed to persuade Reus from committing after the player revealed fears he would not be a big star at the Nou Camp.
Reus, who has the ability to play through the middle and on the left flank, would be facing competition from the likes of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar for a starting berth and will remain at Dortmund, for now.
The 26-year-old’s importance to Dortmund - although injuries have blighted the last 18 months of his career - has been invaluable since he joined from league rivals Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012.
In fact, of players to make more than five appearances in the Bundesliga in the last three years, only three players have created more clear-cut chances per game than Reus (0.41). Similarly, only three players have played more key passes and registered assists combined than the German forward in that time (198).
For more stats on Marco Reus, click here to view his WhoScored player page
