Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was contradicted by club president Joan Laporta over reports he flew out to Germany to meet with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland this week.
Xavi did not deny the reports when asked about the trip to Munich to meet Haaland but Laporta attempted to pour cold water on the suggestions.
The Catalan club held a meeting with the player's agent Mino Raiola in December while Dortmund recently confirmed that Real Madrid are among those who are interested in signing the Norwegian.
The Norwegian striker fuelled speculation of a transfer to La Liga in January as he confirmed that he would like to play in Spain during his career.
Barca president Joan Laporta's reported confidence in signing the striker has sparked off what has been described as a 'war' between the club and El Clasico rivals Madrid.
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In January, the Norwegian striker claimed that Borussia Dortmund were pushing him into making a decision on his future amid speculation that he may be on the move this summer.
Haaland has a reported £63million release clause that kicks in this summer – a factor that will spark a series of elite European clubs' interest in signing the Norwegian.
Barca subsequently attempted to steal a march on their rivals for the striker’s signature by meeting separately with the player and agent in recent times.
Laporta was asked about any negotiations between Barca and the striker, which he denied: "At Barcelona we don't negotiate with the player.
"When we have to negotiate we will do it with Borussia Dortmund, if the circumstance arises."
Laporta first denied the report that Xavi had jetted out to Germany to meet Haaland but when he was pressed on the issue, his stance changed: "It's none of my business. I'm referring to the negotiations. There hasn't been any type of negotiation with Haaland.
"If we negotiate, we would negotiate with Borussia Dortmund.
"We are working on many players who can improve the squad next season according to what the coach, the coaching staff and the director of football say, but we do not negotiate with players.
"There have been no type of negotiation with Haaland."
Earlier on Saturday, Xavi had said: "I cannot give details. The only thing I can say about Haaland is that we are working for Barça for the present and future."
There is little question over the 21-year-old's world-class status, as he has netted 80 goals in just 79 appearances for Dortmund since his switch from Red Bull Salzburg two years ago – including 23 times in 20 outings this campaign.
Haaland has continued to break multiple goal-scoring records, netting 27 goals in 25 matches across his games in European competitions.
In the 2020–21 campaign, Haaland was integral in Dortmund's DFB-Pokal win, won the Bundesliga Player of the Season award and finished as the top scorer of the Champions League.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are other clubs who may be in the race for Haaland this summer.
