Madrid, Dec 5 (IANS): Barcelona vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu denied rumours that the club had spoken to Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Two defeats in two games for Barca have started the rumour mill and Aguero's name was published in the Spanish press Wednesday with the pro-Barca newspaper, Diario Sport insisting that club had maintained contacts with the Manchester City striker who has been in outstanding form this season, reports Xinhua.

Bartomeu acted quickly to deny this saying, "there is no contact with him and I am in a position to deny that."

He also ruled out any chance of Lionel Messi returning to action before the end of the year.

"He has not been given the OK and we are going to follow his recovery closely," he said, adding that after a series of muscle problems this season Messi had to, "leave the doubts behind, forget his injuries and ensure that he gets back to his top shape."

The vice president also insisted despite recent stories of massive financial offers to buy Messi, the striker had no intention of leaving the Camp Nou.

"He wants to finish his career with Barcelona and nobody has ever made any enquiries about buying him, which is a sign that the player himself has been able to dissuade those who could have an interest."