Barcelona sports chief Robert Fernandez has told Jean Michael Seri they passed on him last month.

Seri suggested Nice had rejected a bid from Barca in an explosive interview with the Catalan press.

But Robert, speaking yesterday, revealed they chose not pursue a deal for the midfielder.

Also discussing Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez, Robert said: "Inigo Martinez and Seri are players we considered, like many others.

"But after reflection, we felt it would be better not to recruit them."