Barcelona have ruled out allowing Sergi Samper to leave this week.

Marca says Barcelona announced on Tuesday that Samper will start the the season with the club's first team.

The youth team product will wear the No. 16 jersey this season, the one which Sergio Busquets had until Carles Puyol departed and gave up the No. 5 to him.

Samper will remain in Ernesto Valverde's squad until at least the winter market.

He has had two seasons on loan at Granada and Las Palmas, but wants to stay at the Camp Nou to try to force his way into the side and determine where his future lies.