Chelsea and Manchester United’s hopes of signing left-back Jordi Alba has taken a huge hit this week after the defender insisted he wants to stay at Barcelona for life.

Alba has been at the Nou Camp for six seasons, making over 160 appearances and winning pretty much all there is to win in that time.

However, he was been heavily linked with a move away from the Catalan club this summer, with a host of clubs including United and Chelsea touted to be interested in acquiring his services.

But any prospect of him exiting the Nou Camp has been dismissed by Alba, who claims he wants to stay at Barcelona for life.

The 29-year-old, who is currently on World Cup duty with Spain, told a news conference after being quizzed on whether the interest was affecting him: “No, no, I’m very good at Barca.

“If it were up to me, I would stay at Barcelona all my life.

“But it does not depend on me but on what the club wants.

“It also depends on my performance, which this season has been very good, but I do not see myself outside of Barcelona.”

Alba has been influential during his time at Barcelona, as well as for Spain.

He helped his country to victory over Iran on Wednesday night as well as starting during their first World Cup group match against Portugal which they drew 3-3.