Barcelona have rejected claims that Manchester city have made a bid for club captain Carles Puyol.

City have been aggressive in the transfer market as they try to establish themselves as a credible force in World football.

They have since been linked with moves for Chelsea's John Terry and Bayern's Lucio. It is thought that they will also be considering Puyol should their first-choice bids fail.

However, Barca have rejected suggestions Mark Hughes' side have tabled a bid for Puyol, who has spent his entire career with the Catalan giants.

The European champions have stated no bids have been made for Puyol and that it has not entered the club's thought process that he could be sold this summer.