MADRID, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona on Saturday issued an official communique denying interest in signing Atletico Madrid's French international striker Antoine Griezmann.

The denial comes after the Spanish press reported that there was an agreement between Barcelona and Griezmann for the striker to join the Catalan club next season and that the number 7 shirt had been reserved for him.

These reports came after Barca's Director of Institutional Relations, Guillermo Amor had commented in December that the club had been in contact with Griezmann's representatives, something Barca now refute.

"FC Barcelona strongly denies the information that has appeared over the course of the last few hours in different media regarding Atletico Madrid player Antoine Griezmann and an alleged deal with our club."

"FC Barcelona expresses its objections in the face of these events and reiterates its full respect for the institution of Atletico Madrid," reads the statement on the Barca website.

Griezmann, who has a buyout clause of 100 million euros, has also been linked with a possible move to Manchester United next summer.