"Asensio, to Barça? He has a contract with Madrid, I can't say more..."

Barça have been mentioned as a possible destination for Marco Asensio. Far from closing the door on the eternal rivals, the Balearic-born player has fuelled the rumours with his latest comments. "Playing at the Camp Nou? I can't answer you right now," he said on 'El Partidazo de COPE'.

Eric Garcia, who is in Spain's squad for the Nations League match against Switzerland, was asked if he would like to share a team with him and replied: "Marco is a great player. He has a contract with Madrid and I can't tell you more. It's a pleasure to enjoy him here in the national team".

"If we had to laugh at the rumours that spread, we wouldn't stop.... Those things stay there," he said, questioned about whether the subject had been discussed in the dressing room.

He also put the brakes on those who are putting Zubimendi as a replacement for Busquets: "You have to be careful with comparisons. Busquets is the best midfielder I have ever seen and Martin is just at the beginning. I repeat what I said before: he is a Real Sociedad player and he has a contract there".

He took the opportunity to praise Pique's efforts, one of his inspirations at the Catalan giants. "He has qualities that he has shown over the last 10-15 years. He's one of the best centre-backs I've ever seen, he's a world 'top'. I learn from him every day. I'm sure that when he has playing time he will show what a great centre-back he is," he said.

Finally, he hopes to see the same team that won the World Cup in 2010: "Hopefully we can repeat the success of that year because that will indicate that there will be victories on the pitch. We're really looking forward to it", he concluded.