Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu has distanced the Catalan club with reports linking them with a move for Robin van Persie, and state there has been no talks with Arsenal or the striker.

Speculation in Spain has arisen that Pep Guardiola's men were ready to try and tempt the in-form Netherlands international to the Camp Nou, but this is not the case currently.

"Nothing exists with RVP," Bartomeu told reporters, as published by Sky Sports.

"It's rumours that appear in the papers. We've not contacted Arsenal, nor his agent.

"Our focus is now on La Liga and Copa del Rey.

"It's necessary to be focused on the task at hand and not be distracted by the transfer market," the executive concluded.

Van Persie scored a hat-trick for Arsene Wenger's men in the commanding 7-1 win over Blackburn at the weekend, and is the Premier League's top scorer currently with 22 goals.

The crafty attacker's contract is due to expire in the summer of 2013 however, and with an extension yet to be reached Gunners' fans are worried that their star player may leave the Emirates Stadium.

By Gareth McKnight

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