Barcelona dismiss Puyol Manchester City link

The Barcelona captain has played over 500 times for the Catalans since 1997 (GETTY IMAGES)

Barcelona head coach Josep Guardiola has dismissed speculation that club captain Carles Puyol could leave the Camp Nou this summer.

Centre-back Puyol has reportedly attracted interest from AC Milan and Manchester City, but Guardiola expects the defender to sign a new contract with last season's treble winners.

"Carles is not moving," said the Barca boss. "If you are planning for a season, you do not allow your leader to leave.

"Wherever he plays, in the centre, right or left side, he always does very well."

Meanwhile, Sevilla have won the race to sign Spain Under-21 international defender Sergio Sanchez from Espanyol.

The versatile 23-year-old becomes the second major arrival at the Sanchez Pizjuan this summer, with midfielder Didier Zokora having earlier joined from Tottenham Hotspur.

Sanchez told SFC Radio: “I'm very happy because Sevilla is the team where I wanted to be. The chance to play in the Champions League is a real prize.

“The squad did very well last season and were rewarded with third place. I've come here with lots of hope and motivation and I'm ready to help the club achieve the aims they have set.

“This team aspires to win everything.”

Elsewhere, Brazil striker Luis Fabiano says that he does not blame Sevilla for the apparent collapse of his dream move to AC Milan.

The 28-year-old looks set to remain with his current club next season, with the Rossoneri unwilling to meet the asking price set by the Spanish outfit.

Fabiano told AS: “I can understand Sevilla not accepting that offer, considering how the transfer market is going at the moment.

“For me to leave here, Sevilla have to be happy with their side of the deal. I am content at Sevilla and I think they are pleased with me too.

“I had a nice relaxing summer vacation without internet or phones, so the truth is I am happy to be back.”

Meanwhile, the player’s agent, Jose Fuentes, believes that the deal for his client is dead in the water.

He told Sky Italia: “In football you can never say never, but I've not heard from Milan in a week.

“Everyone knows that for this deal to go through there needs to be a higher offer than the 14million euros proposed by Milan. For me the deal is dead.”