Who rejects a Barcelona offer? Apparently, it is Spain's midfielder, Koke, but he has the right reasons for it.

Even though the player has said that he wanted to stay in Atletico Madrid for a long time and nurture his skills there, he also admitted that turning down Barcelona was a difficult decision.

"The truth is that part of me said it was difficult to say no to Barca but I wanted to continue at home for many years at Atletico," he said.

The 22- year- old has long been a subject of transfer rumors after performing greatly in the last season of the Champions League.

"It wasn't time to leave. This is my home, where I feel wanted and the club didn't need to sell. How was I going to leave at the best time for Atletico?" he added.

It can be remembered that Diego Costa, striker, and Felipe Luis, leftback, have left Atletico Madrid this season to join Chelsea and the Premier League. However, Koke decided that it is better for him to stay in Atletico rather than joining Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar at Barca.

"It's not easy to say no to Barca and their interest was appreciated. It means the work I've done has paid off. But I'm at home here."

"I'm just another player at Atletico, a player who gives everything for his team and does what Simeone asks. I'm not the best or the flagship, the banner. The most important thing to me is to make a better Atletico and be a team player, which is ultimately what matters."

It seems as if the player wants to impress under Diego Simeone, the coach.

"The new signings are great players, they're all important and I believe they will all contribute a lot to the team. They hope to do things right and that is something Simeone values highly."

With reports from: goal.com