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Mertens: I could have replaced Neymar at Barcelona

Dries Mertens has claimed Barcelona were interested in him and has hinted he regrets not moving to Camp Nou, particularly after Neymar left for Paris Saint-Germain.

Speaking to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, Mertens said he was put off a move to Barcelona because he felt he would spend most of the time on the bench.

"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.