Villarreal midfielder Parejo responds to reports of direct talks with Barcelona coach Xavi

Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo has denied reports linking him with Barcelona.

There's been claims Parejo has been in contact with Barca coach Xavi about the prospect of replacing Blaugrana captain Sergi Busquets this summer.

But he told Estadio Deportivo: I haven't spoken to Xavi, I don't have his phone number, nothing.

"To tell you the truth, I am not aware of Bara's interest. To my agents, it can happen, but they have not communicated it to me."

Parejo admits he came close to signing for Barcelona a few years ago.

"It's true that I had the chance to go to Barcelona, but I was very comfortable at Valencia.

I like to play, I like it when I play and I had gone through very difficult times at Valencia, I had turned that situation around and I was very happy."