He told The Athletic: "During the pre-season with Barcelona, I doubted my role a little. I'm at an age where I need to play. I had lost that feeling.
"I would say that this is the level I have and what I have always shown in the squads I have played in. No one has ever played for Barcelona, Spain and City for no reason. But this summer I felt I needed to prove myself again.
"I told my agent that if I had to leave the club, it must be for a place of my choice. And that place, for me, was Girona.
"I even trained with Barcelona on deadline day. At the end of the training session, staff from the club came to me to say that everything was agreed and that I could leave.
"I have a contract until 2026. This summer I'm going back to Barcelona and we'll see what the club's plan is for me, but I'm only thinking about coming back to Barcelona."