Bayern Munich issue furious statement blasting 'non-factual' Thomas Tuchel reports

Bayern Munich have released a statement refuting claims Thomas Tuchel has touted himself as a replacement for outgoing Barcelona manager Xavi.

Xavi announced his decision to step down at the end of this season following Saturday's 5-3 defeat to Villarreal.

Despite winning La Liga last season, Barcelona are third in the table and 11 points behind league leaders Girona.

The following day, Tuchel admitted he would like to manage abroad again one day and cited Spain as a possible destination.

It's prompted claims the 50-year-old purposely set his stall to take over at the Camp Nou as Barcelona begin their search for a new manager.

Bayern chiefs are furious by those claims and set the record straight on Monday afternoon.

Chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting director Christoph Freund said: "Our head coach Thomas Tuchel was asked by supporters on Sunday as part of a fan club visit about his coaching career and his previous experiences abroad at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and naturally provided information about this during the discussion.

"He also answered general questions from fans about Spain as a footballing country. He never spoke about Xavi Hernandez and his successor, as was falsely claimed afterwards.

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"We will no longer accept such non-factual statements directed against our coach, which always come from the same source."

Tuchel replaced Julian Nagelsmann in the Allianz Arena dugout last year.

He's helped Bayern win the Bundesliga title, although they’re second behind unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen this term.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been forced to deny claims he's ready to leave the Gunners at the end of this season.

Barcelona have been admirers of Arteta as far back as 2021 when they sacked Ronald Koeman.

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Spanish publication Sport claimed Arteta has told close friends he's looking to walk away from Arsenal over the summer.

Arteta denied those claims in a press conference earlier on Monday.

He told reporters: "No. That’s totally fake news. What I read yesterday I don’t know where it’s coming from. I’m really upset about it."

He added: "I could not believe it. I don’t know where it’s coming from. I think we have to be very careful when we talk about personal things especially. I’m in the right place."

Barcelona return to action against Osasuna on Wednesday evening.