Barcelona slams Martino exit rumors

Barcelona has hit out at rumors that coach Gerardo Martino has decided the leave the club at the end of the season.

Fresh reports surfaced Monday in the Spanish media which suggested the Argentine has taken the decision to step down from his role during the summer after just one year in charge.

The club has moved to condemn the speculation as false, however, with Manel Arroyo - vice-president in charge of the Blaugrana's media and communications - making it clear it had no intention to allow Martino to leave.

"We have no record of this," he said at a news conference following a meeting of the board of directors. "Tata has a contract with the club and is dedicated this week to what's important [Sunday's Clasico].

When asked if there is a condition in Martino's contract which would allow an exit this summer, he added: "I don't know if there's a deadline. There is a clause on his part and ours, but there is no intention to use it.

"The question over his future is a recurring one but it is not a topic for today. It's not something we have on the table. We can see he is focused on the sporting concerns of the first team, that is what he's concerned with."

Arroyo also added that Lionel Messi's future would be at Camp Nou and stressed a contract renewal should be a priority for the club.

"Right now there is nothing," he said of potential interest in the Argentine from other clubs. "Leo himself has said his only intention is to continue here for many years. His renewal is a topic which must be covered."