Barcelona defender, Jules Kounde, has revealed he spoke to former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, as transfer speculation rumbled on in the summer.
Kounde eventually moved to the Nou Camp in a £56million deal.
The 23-year-old has told L’Equipe: “First, I come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less.
“I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction because we already have a competitive team, but rather, being upturned. I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and to put Barca back where it has always been, among the best clubs.
“Then there was the conversation with the coach. We talked about football, mainly. I felt a real confidence from him, that he had a real knowledge of myself, my game and my qualities. I spoke with Tuchel and I also felt that he wanted me to come but I simply preferred Xavi’s speech.”