Thomas Meunier has admitted it would have been hard for him to say no to ‘unique’ clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
The 30-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent and sealed a switch to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
Since arriving in Germany, he’s featured regularly, whenever he’s been available for selection. The right-back has managed two goals and five assists from 26 matches in all competitions this season.
The Belgium international’s performances for the Bundesliga side convinced Barcelona to make an approach for him in the last window. However, a move to the Camp Nou did not take shape because of BVB.
Het Laatste Nieuws interviewed the ex-PSG fullback and asked about reports linking him to Barca.
He said: “It could have been… Barcelona were looking for a reliable right-back, someone who is physically strong, complete, and can be dangerous on stagnant stages, for an acceptable price, given their financial situation.
“I fit that profile, those different conditions. That’s what I have proven this season. But when Dortmund called me about the offer they had received from Barcelona, it immediately sounded like: ‘Sorry, you can’t leave’.”
When it was suggested to him it must have been difficult to lose out on the move, Meunier said opportunities to join clubs like Manchester United, Barca and Real Madrid don’t come up regularly.
“Barcelona, that’s a train that only passes once in a lifetime. I was also surprised when Jordi Cruyff called me. He explained the plan. Barca wanted to either loan me without a mandatory purchase option, or immediately take me over permanently,” he said. 
“Imagine… Dortmund are already a big club, but Barca… That is unique. Just like Real, Bayern and United are in their way. In principle you don’t say ‘no’ to such clubs. Mentally it was not easy. But I understand Dortmund, it was barely a week before the end of the window.”
Manchester United have been linked with Meunier at several times over the years, but at this stage of his career that chance has probably gone now.
