José Antonio Martín, one of Fernando Torres's representatives, has denied saying that the striker could leave Liverpool this summer for another Premier League club.

"Now is not the moment to speak about this issue because Torres is focused completely on his work for Spain," Martín said. "After the World Cup Bahía Internacional [the company which represents Torres] will possibly meet with the player but the truth is that Fernando has signed a deal with Liverpool which is for the present and the future."

Roy Hodgson telephoned Torres last week, within hours of his appointment as Liverpool's new manager, in an attempt to persuade the striker to remain at Anfield. Torres is in South Africa, where Spain play Germany in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, though his somewhat jaded performances at the tournament – where he has been thoroughly outshone by his strike partner, David Villa – are unlikely to have convinced potential suitors of his value.

Martín was earlier quoted as saying: "It is very likely that Fernando Torres will stay in the Premier League, but I cannot say that it will be with Liverpool. We are working on his future but right now you cannot guarantee that he will stay with the English club."