Xavi has denied ever speaking with The Sun with regards to Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli.

Quotes emerged on Tuesday of the Barcelona legend discussing Alli’s future, and stating that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola would be interested in signing him.

The Sun carried the quotes as an exclusive interview.

“I speak with Pep, and I know he thinks it is important to sign English players,” they claimed Xavi to have said.

“At the moment the best English player there is and also one of the best in Europe is Dele Alli. We are looking at a very special player.

“Technically he is the sort of player that Pep likes, the sort of player that suits the style of game that Pep likes his teams to play.”

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino responded to the reported quotes on Wednesday, joking that Xavi was his “enemy”, but the midfielder has denied ever giving the interview.

He told Spanish newspaper Sport that he “never” spoke to the publication, and “neither” has he ever publicly discussed Alli.

The Sun making stuff up there. Who knew?