Spain international midfielder Koke is set to remain with Atletico Madrid this season, despite again being linked with a move away from the Vicente Calderon.

The 23-year-old was rumoured to be a target for both Barca and Real Madrid last summer, but opted to remain with the Rojiblancos, and his agent expects a similar tale to unfold in this transfer window.

Inaki Espizua to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope: “It’s great to hear these kinds of things, especially from a club like Barca, but right now the player’s position is very clear.

“He feels he is a key part of Atletico Madrid’s plans for the future and I therefore have very little else to add.”

Koke has spent the whole of his professional career to date with Atletico, helping the club win the Copa del Rey, La Liga, the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup, while they also reached the Champions League final in 2014.

Atleti head coach Diego Simeone had earlier spoken of his desire to keep his current squad mainly intact, with the 17-time capped Koke a key figure in his plans.

He had told AS: “He has such vision of play. He can play in different roles and gives us a lot of options in attack.

“I have confidence that, unlike last season, we will maintain a certain stability in our group in order to continue to grow.”

Atletico can be backed at 17.00 to win La Liga for the 11th time in their history, with Barca available at 1.67.