Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez has laughed off claims that Barcelona are interested in acquiring his services next summer and insists his future is with his current club.
Mundo Deportivo recently reported that Barca are monitoring Yeray, 21, as a possible candidate to strengthen their backline for the 2017-18 campaign.
The Spaniard was promoted to Athletic's first team in the summer, making his La Liga debut as a substitute in the 2-1 home win over Valencia in September, and has made seven starts since in all competitions for Ernesto Valverde's side.
When asked about Barca's reported interest, Yeray told Mundo Deportivo: "I know it has been mentioned in the press but I take it as a joke. When they told me I laughed. I'm not thinking about playing at Barca. I want to play here and play all the games I can."
Yeray is under contract with Athletic until June 2019 and has a release clause set at €30 million.
The centre-back has been likened to former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol for his style of play, character, strength and speed -- something he is pleased about.
"I'm thrilled to be compared to Puyol and also to [former Athletic defender Rafael] Alkorta," Yeray said. "I hope one day I can be like them. It doesn't bother me that they make those comparisons, on the contrary."
Yeray also said he was an admirer of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona and is impressed by Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
"It's true that in Guardiola's time, it was a sheer pleasure to watch Barca play because they made a rival dizzy and they would make them run behind the ball throughout the entire game," Yeray said. "In recent years, I think it's huge what Cholo [Simeone] is doing. To be all the game defending and end up winning, I find it complicated."