The Portugal international midfielder was back in the first team for the weekend's victory over Athletic Bilbao and told El Mundo Deportivo: "I've always said the same, that my ambition is to play for Barca.

"I have a contract and I want to fulfill it. What happens is that there's some people who like to read more into what I say.

"I want to be here, but if someday the club wants to sell me, I will look for another place where to play. It is something normal in football and I understand that clubs want to renew their squads.

"But what I have not said is that I want to leave. I want to continue winning titles with Barca."