Topics: La Liga, Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Adrien Rabiot
The Catalans have issued a statement to clear the air about the speculations.

Spanish giants Barcelona has issued a statement to deny claims suggesting that it has signed Paris Saint-Germain star Adrien Rabiot. However, the Catalan club revealed that contact with the player and his entourage was recently established.

The 23-year-old Frenchman is said to be closing in on a switch to Barcelona after refusing to sign a new deal with PSG. Earlier in December, the French club's sporting director Antero Henrique stated that Rabiot has 'misled' Paris Saint-Germain and will, as a result, be benched for 'an indefinite period'.

This hinted at an imminent departure for the midfielder who would leave as a free agent should the Ligue 1 champions allow his contract to run until June 2019. Multiple reports in France suggested that Rabiot has already agreed on a deal in principle to join Barcelona. 

The indication was that the Blaugrana sidestepped transfer regulations and approached Rabiot directly with a five-year contract offer. Nonetheless, the Spanish club released a statement on Sunday morning to debunk the claim. The statement reads: "FC Barcelona wish to address stories published in France regarding the signing of players from Paris Saint Germain, and make clear that they have not breached any rule in this regard.

"The only contact made was during the month of August and one week ago. In both cases, this contact was made with PSG's sporting management to show FC Barcelona's interest in player Adrien Rabiot.

"FC Barcelona have always wanted to work with the utmost transparency in their dealings with PSG and with any other club. "FC Barcelona refute the existence of any type of agreement with PSG player Adrien Rabiot."

Barca has already started its winter transfer business early by completing the signing of Jeison Murillo from La Liga rivals Valencia.