Friends ask me about Barca move - Balanta

The River Plate defender has stressed there is no truth in stories linking him with the Catalan giants but says the constant speculation is making life hard

River Plate defender Eder Alvarez Balanta says he is constantly asked by friends whether he is set for a move to Barcelona.

The Blaugrana have been linked with a variety of defenders of late, including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain star Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, who joined his fellow Brazilian in the French capital this summer.

The Colombian is the latest name to be touted with a transfer to Camp Nou, and while the rumours have got old friends excited, he has stressed that there is no contact from the Catalan club.

"My friends write on Facebook from Colombia and say: 'is it true that you're going to Barcelona?'. And I say no, I have not been told anything, they're only rumours," he told NosDigitial.

"I say it's not true and they keep telling me it is, it becomes very difficult. The rumours are tough."

The 20-year-old first moved to River from hometown club Academia in 2011 before making his professional debut earlier in 2013.