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Barcelona deny reports of Luis Suarez move to Manchester United

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has dismissed reports linking striker Luis Suarez with a move to Premier League side Manchester United.

United manager Jose Mourinho signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the summer but the Swedish striker's age, coupled with Wayne Rooney's drop in form, have led to suggestions that he is on the lookout for a new frontman.

Reports in the English media earlier this week claimed United would offer €140 million to Barca in the hope of luring former Liverpool man Suarez back to England.

But Suarez, 29, recently said he would love to retire at the Camp Nou and he is in talks over a new long-term contract.

"We read, we listen, we see this news, but of course, our interest in this particular case is that Luis Suarez is happy at Barcelona," Bartomeu told Sky Sports when asked about United's reported interest.

"For me, he is probably the best striker in Europe and we want him to be with us.

"Right now we are trying to extend his contract with Barcelona, and he is one of our big future efforts because he is still young, he has a vision and a lot of ambition.

"He is happy at Barcelona and, together with Lionel Messi and Neymar, they are really very dangerous."

Following the recent renewal of contracts for Javier Mascherano and Neymar, reports in the Catalan press say Suarez is next in line to agree a new deal.

Diario Sport reported that he will earn €16m per season with a contract that will run until 2021, when he will be 34.

The player confirmed that talks between his representatives and the club were at an advanced stage.

Suarez, who joined the Blaugrana from Livepool in 2014 for €80m, has been a hugely successful signing, scoring 94 goals in 110 appearances.

His total of 40 goals was the highest in La Liga last season as he became the first person other than Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Pichichi award outright since his compatriot Diego Forlan in 2009.

However, following Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League defeat at Manchester City, he is on a run of just two goals in seven appearances.