Marquez to stay at Barca

"I still have one year of my contract to go but my priority is Barcelona and I don't know anything about another offer," Marquez told a news conference.

Spanish media have reported that Chelsea, who Barcelona knocked out of the Champions League last week, were bidding for the versatile 27-year-old.

"I don't know if it (the Chelsea offer) is real or not but the fact that they are interested in me is pleasing because it means other teams are taking notice of what I am doing," the Mexico captain added.

"I respect English football but I want to finish my football career here at Barcelona."

The centre-back, who can also play in midfield, joined Barca from Monaco in July 2003 for five million euros. His contract expires in 2007 but Marquez said he hoped to agree a new one soon.

Looking ahead, he said: "My immediate objectives are to keep my fitness for the run in to the end of the league and then to have a great World Cup."

In Germany, Mexico are drawn in Group D along with Iran, Angola and Portugal.