Marc Bartra's days at Barcelona could be coming to an end. The Spanish international defender's release clause has dropped from 50 million euros to just 12 million euros because he has not played enough matches over the past two seasons.

Lluís Miguelsanz / Sam Marsden

It's identical to the situation which saw Thiago Alcantara leave for Bayern Munich. And it's a situation which, once again, Josep Guardiola has got his eye on. Bayern and Manchester City are among the clubs who have suggested they are prepared to pay Bartra's buyout clause.

SPORT revealed the detail in the 24-year-old's contract several weeks ago. Barça have no intention of selling Bartra, but during talks this week while he has been with the Spain side, he has left the door open to a potential exit.

The reality is that, along with his representatives, he will make a decision in the coming weeks after listening one more time to Barcelona. However, at the moment he sees his future away from the Catalan club.

It is not a question of money, but of importance. If Bartra decides to leave, it will be because he understands that he does not have a big enough role to play at Barça. Luis Enrique's favoured pairing in defence has been Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano, with Jeremy Mathieu his preferred back up. Thomas Vermaelen has also recently returned from injury.

Despite that, Bartra is still in favour with Vicente del Bosque, who considers him the future of Spain's defence.

Bartra's situation has not gone unnoticed across Europe and interest has risen as word has spread about how much it would cost to sign him. He has important offers from clubs who are prepared to offer him a more prominent role.

Guardiola wants to sign a central defender this summer and he is now seriously considering a move to take Bartra to Germany. Things have worked out well with Thiago, injuries aside.

City have also been in touch with the defender. But there are more clubs interested, too. In England, Liverpool and Tottenham have made initial contact, while Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund have also been alerted by the player's release clause. All have the money to complete the deal, with some talks further down the line than others.

After Spain's match with Belarus on Sunday night, Bartra will return to Barcelona on Monday. He plans to meet with his representatives to discuss the options available to him.

This summer's elections will not influence his decision. Bartra is available for 12 million euros, if that fee is paid to the LFP, and that is that. Barça cannot have a say in anything in that sense.

For the second time in the last two years, Barcelona could lose a player with a great future in the game at club and international level.