Barcelona sporting director Deco has this week moved to firmly play down the ongoing speculation linking he and his colleagues with a move for Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel.

The name of attacker Gabriel has of course taken its place centre stage in the media chatter in Catalunya’s capital over the course of the last week.

After the 15-year-old informed those behind the scenes at Old Trafford of his intention to move on, a host of leading clubs from across Europe were immediately credited with an interest in his signature.

Amongst these alleged suitors were the aforementioned Barcelona, constantly on the lookout for up-and-coming talent to add to their famed La Masia ranks.

Speaking during an exchange with transfer journalist Ben Jacobs on Thursday, Blaugrana chief Deco was therefore drawn on the club’s links with Gabriel. And the Portuguese made use of the opportunity to assure that Barca, as things stand, ‘are not interested in any player in his situation’:

“There’s nothing to say about this boy. It’s normal that we always have players linked with us. There’s a huge market for that, even when they [players] are young.

“We are not interested in any player in his situation. I am not sure what’s happening, and if he’s still a Manchester United player. We are not involved in that.

“First of all, we need to understand how the situation is before we try to do something. And to speak about young, teenage players, it is not our business.”