A host of clubs have been linked with the prolific Cameroon international since he was told he could leave the Nou Camp, and Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas claims he is in talks with the Catalan giants.

However, Josep Maria Mesalles has poured cold water on the idea that his client is on the verge of securing a move to the Stade Gerland.

"No-one from Barca has said anything about this to us and neither have Lyon got in contact with me about this," he told Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo.

"To talk now about this is to speculate. We have not received any interesting offer."

Eto'o has been informed that he is not part of new coach Pep Guardiola's plans as wholesale changes are carried out at Barca following the Catalan club's second successive trophyless season.

But Mesalles claims the 27-year-old could still stay at the Nou Camp and, moreover, that it would be easy for him to do so.

"He doesn't have to anything," he added. "He only has to work as he has been doing and if it is the club who don't want him they should have already taken care of looking for a move for him.

"They haven't given us any deadline to look for a team and we are in no rush."

Reports in Spain claim Barca could try and use Eto'o as a bargaining chip in an attempt to lure long-term target Karim Benzema to the Nou Camp.

However, Benzema's agent insists the France striker will remain at Lyon for another year at least.

"Benzema will not move from Lyon this year," Karim Djaziri told El Mundo Deportivo. "That is sure.

"Next year it could happen, but this season he will remain at Lyon."