Barca move to quash speculation about leading players

MADRID, Mar 20 (Reuters) Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain has quashed speculation about the future of the club's leading players including Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o by insisting they will remain at the Nou Camp.

''I'm totally convinced that Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco and Messi will be here next season,'' Begiristain told radio station RAC 1.

''They are all very happy at the club and associate their success with being here.'' The Spanish media has reported that some of the club's big names may leave next season after interest from high-profile teams in Italy and England, but Begiristain denied that Barca had received any offers for the players.

''No club has spoken with us directly,'' he said. ''There are always comments from intermediaries, but we've told all of them that there is no chance of a transfer.'' Begiristain also refuted reports that Barca had opened negotiations with Manchester United in order to try and buy Cristiano Ronaldo although he left the door open to a possible future move for the Portugal forward.

''He's a good player but we haven't made any move to try and sign him,'' he said. ''If none of our big players move then Cristiano Ronaldo won't be coming here.'' The Barca sports director made no secret of the club's interest in Sevilla fullback Daniel Alves, but said that the Andalucian club were demanding too high a price for the Brazilian.

''It's outrageous what they are asking for. They have become accustomed to such figures because of the fees they got for (Jose Antonio) Reyes, (Julio) Baptista and (Sergio) Ramos.'' Barcelona lead the Primera Liga from Sevilla by virtue of their better head-to-head record as they aim for a hat-trick of league titles.

Reuters SAM GC1846