'Even though it's Barcelona, I don't want to play second fiddle'

Barcelona had many renowned central midfielder on their radar during a summer which culminated in the arrivals of Paulinho and Ousmane Dembele to the Camp Nou. Waiting on Coutinho, the club from Catalonia also had in the pipeline a move for one of the players whose playing style is very similar to Xavi Hernandez, and even the player himself liked what he saw with the Nice midfielder.

In an interview with 'France Football', Seri opened up about everything that happened and he felt that at some moments he was almost already in the famous blue and red colours of the Catalan club.

"I don't really want to remember everything that happened," he said. "There was a difficult period when I was with the national team. The market closed when I was in Gabon.

"I was focused on the games with my national team and when I returned to Nice I left it all to one side. For me, it's all forgotten. I turned the page and thought about the game against Monaco."

The 26-year-old midfielder admitted that his 'failed' transfer to Barcelona affect him emotionally.

"It affected me, but now I look back with perspective. I focused on what I know, playing football. There was no other solution than to get back playing.

"Anything else wouldn't have served for anything. I admit it wasn't easy. But now there's nothing in my head about all that. I think about the future -- there are a lot of good things to do."

Seri also took the opportunity to send a message to the 'Azulgrana' team.

"Even though it's Barcelona, I don't want to play second fiddle. I know what I'm capable of on a football pitch and I think I've shown that I have quality.

"If they choose me, I want them to treat me well, to make me a priority, not a compliment. That's why my head is focused on football. I dreamed of playing for Barça, but the message was clear. Many would have waited longer. Some would have spoken with the media. For me, a player speaks on the pitch, not in the media.

"Those that speak in the media are mediocre players, who need to be known. On the one side, there was a club for whom I was not a priority, and on the other side, a club that wanted me. It would have been stupid to get angry over a club that didn't want you over one that gives you everything and loves you."