Vilanova: I have never spoken about signing Neymar

06/08/2012 11:40:00 PM

The Barcelona trainer has denied mentioning the possibility of the club making a move for the young sensation, despite the media repeatedly linking them with a bid

Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova has hit out at reports linking the club with a move for Santos striker Neymar, claiming he has never spoken to the press about signing the player.

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The 20-year-old forward is currently part of the Brazil side competing at the Olympic Games in the United Kingdom, but that has not stopped him being linked with a move to La Liga, with both the Blaugrana and Real Madrid hoping to secure his signature.

However, the 42-year-old trainer has now moved to dismuss rumours that the starlet could be set to join his side.

"I've never spoken about signing Neymar," he is quoted as saying by Marca. "You journalists are the ones who wrote the stories."

Vilanova went on to speak of how he is well aware of the expectations the public have of the side ahead of the start of the season.

"We've had four and a half years of glory. It is always difficult to prolong the cycle, but this is what we are going to try to do, for a few more years.

"We are going to try and play in the best way, just like we have been doing in the last few years."

Barcelona's first match of their Liga campaign is against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on August 19.