Grapevine: McLaren deny new talks with Alonso

"McLaren is unaware of any current discussions with Fernando or his management," the Mercedes-powered team said in a statement.

Spain's AS daily sports newspaper reported that McLaren had in the last few days offered Alonso, who has yet to announce his plans for 2008, a one-year contract with the same terms and conditions as before.

It said Alonso would only consider returning if McLaren agreed in writing to various changes, including being able to follow his own race strategy apart from teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Even then, it said, a return was unlikely with Alonso unwilling to return while Ron Dennis remained as team boss.

McLaren have yet to announce a replacement for Alonso, who fell out with the team's management in a fraught season dominated by a spying controversy that cost the team a $100 million fine and the loss of all their constructors' points.

Britain's Hamilton, 22, ended his rookie season in second place and ahead of Alonso on race placings after the two finished level on points and behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Alonso's former team Renault are keen to sign the Spaniard, who has also been linked to Red Bull and Toyota in media speculation.