Max Aarons is good enough to be touted with Barcelona for Daniel Farke but the Canaries’ chief wants him to stay at Norwich City.

Farke had his say on the headline grabbing news the Catalan giants had enquired about the 20-year-old after watching his side’s 2-2 Championship draw against Preston on Saturday.

City will not entertain a potential loan move that only includes a proposed option to buy from the Spanish side, but Aarons put in a composed display against the Lilywhites just hours before the story broke.

“It is not easy to handle for such a young lad when three hours before kick off such a message comes out,” said Farke. “You can imagine what happens on his phone. It is not easy. I have said this.

“The first four or five games will be tricky. We have to live with this speculation until the transfer window is closed. I thought it was a solid performance. It cannot have been easy.

“It is probably not that easy for his team mates, especially the younger ones, who I am sure would be speaking about this.

“We won’t comment on any stories. That is not how we operate. But I wouldn’t sell Max Aarons for £50m. He was a Norwich player before the game. He is a Norwich player after the game and we hope he is a Norwich player for a long time to come.

“All I have to say is if anyone is surprised he is linked with Barcelona I am not. For six weeks now he has been touted with the best clubs in the world. More or less daily.

“In Germany, Bayern Munich who have just won the Champions League, Dortmund and Leverkusen. Top clubs here in England.

“So with whom should he be linked with in Spain? Recreativo Huelva? Of course Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is important we stay focused, stay concentrated and I can only compliment how Max handled it today.

“It is not upto me to comment on speculation. But I would be unbelievably surprised if every top club in Europe did not think about Max Aarons. He is top class and full of potential. But he is our player.

“If one of the best clubs in the world want him as a first choice then they will come with a crazy offer. Then our key people have a decision to make. But for me Max Aarons is priceless.”