Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has rubbished reports that the club are planning to make a move for Barcelona defender Dani Alves, labelling the rumours "utter nonsense".
Alves, 29, has blossomed into one of the world's best right-backs since Barca snapped him up from Sevilla in 2008 but with Pep Guardiola leaving Camp Nou the Brazil international has been tipped to follow the coach out of the club.
However, Heldt insists that while he rates Alves highly, Schalke - who finished third in the Bundesliga and will play in the Champions League next season - are not plotting a swoop.
"Dani Alves is a world-class footballer, it is no doubt at all. But these messages are just utter nonsense." Heldt told Schalke's official website.
"We have never made an offer, we have had no contact with the player or his advisers, nor has he been offered to us. I do not [comment on rumours], but in this case, the public creates a completely false picture of our personnel policy.
"Of course, we are currently planning for next season and see many opportunities to improve our quality squad. However, we have always said that we continue with our policy, consistently."
