The Primera Liga giants were responding to a story in today's edition of Spanish newspaper AS, which quoted Maicon's representative as claiming Madrid had sent a fax to Inter regarding the Brazil international.

However, Madrid tonight released a statement saying: "Real Madrid denies the report. The club's president Vicente Boluda and the board have undertaken not to initiate, nor maintain, any talks regarding the possible signing of players for the duration of their mandate."

Boluda took over the presidency on an interim basis following Ramon Calderon's resignation in January and, after being ratified by club members following a vote at last Sunday's assembly, will remain in charge until Madrid hold elections this summer.