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Vincent Kompany 'almost joined Barca'

Vincent Kompany claimed that he almost signed for Barcelona several times but has vowed to stay at Manchester City.

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The Belgium defender has been linked with the 2011 European champions this summer but Kompany said City have not received an offer from the Camp Nou.

Kompany also attracted interest from Barcelona in 2012 and 2013 but has remained committed to City.

"I have been close to signing for Barca a few times, there were contacts, but recently, officially, I can assure you that there has been nothing that I know of," he told Mundo Deportivo.

"I have a contract with Manchester City, I like it there a lot, we have won the Premier League. We have a very serious and attractive project. It is not in my plans to leave the club."

City captain Kompany, a 2008 arrival from Hamburg, signed a six-year contract extension at the Etihad Stadium in 2013.

The 28-year-old has made 254 appearances for City, lifting the Premier League trophy in both 2012 and 2014, and was widely praised for his performance against Barcelona at the Camp Nou this season.

The centre-back is currently captaining his country at the World Cup, where Belgium have qualified for the round of 16.