Rijkaard warns United off Puyol

Manchester United’s chances of signing Barcelona right-back Carles Puyol were all but dashed last night.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a £14m (€19.9m) switch to Old Trafford after the Catalan giants confirmed debts of £116m (€165m).

A Puyol statement on the club’s official website had intimated he would be prepared to leave Spain for Manchester if it would ease Barcelona’s financial plight.

Meanwhile vice-president Sandro Rosell further fuelled the speculation by announcing if Puyol was to be sold he would not be sold cheaply.

But after Barcelona’s 1-0 friendly victory over Leicester City at the Walker’s Stadium last night, coach Frank Rijkaard announced he would make every effort to keep Puyol, who has 15 caps, in Catalunya.

Former Dutch international Rijkaard said: “Puyol is an important player for our team and I want him to stay at Barcelona, I can confirm that.

“There are some rumours I’ve been made aware of which say a club in England are interested in Puyol.

“But that’s just what it is, rumours, because there’s been no official contact.”