Dani Parejo has admitted Barcelona tried to sign him two years ago, but says he had no interest in leaving Valencia at this stage in his career.
The 31-year-old has been a fixture for Valencia for almost a decade, and with 37 appearances so far this season, he has taken his club total to 373 – moving him into the club’s top 10 of all time.
He has some work to do if he is to claim top spot, with Ricardo Arias’ 501 having stood since 1996. It seems he’s in with a chance, however, as even concrete interest from Barcelona two summers ago wasn’t enough to convince the midfielder to trade the south-east coast for Catalonia.
“FC Barcelona was interested in me, but I valued everything, here in Valencia I am very well,” Parejo said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. “We have been nine years, my children are from here.
“I fulfilled a dream: to enter the top 10 games played with Valencia. Hopefully I can retire at Valencia.
“If I could retire at 37 or 38 in Valencia. I am happy, I live in an amazing city. One goal is to spend five or six more seasons here.
“After what I spent here, I was able turn the situation around and it is all a pride, always thanks to the family, the fans.”
If he was to fulfil his dream of lasting five or six more seasons with Valencia, assuming he remains a first-team regular for the entire duration, it would be a feat that would surely see him set a new club record for appearances.
Since joining from Getafe in 2011, Parejo has registered a mightily impressive 62 goals and 63 assists from central midfield – 10 and six of those respectively have come this season.