Rafa Benitez has rejected claims that he is chasing Athletic Bilbao's defender Javi Martinez. There was speculation that Liverpool are set to snap up the 19 year old, who has a £17m release clause at the Bilbao club.

Benitez has now put an end to the Reds link with the former Osasuna player, who is also said to be a fierce target for Italian club Fiorentina.

Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "He is a young player who we know about because Bilbao paid good money for him.

"But we are not watching the player and are not thinking about signing him, as I have read in the Spanish press."

Martinez had suggested that he was attracted to the atmosphere in the Premiership but revealed there is nothing that he has heard from the Merseysiders.