Yesterday Igor Anton claimed that he had been approached by the Colombia team  that would like to hire the Basque climber for the 2014 season. However, there will be no deal between the parties as Colombia manager Claudio Corti claims not to have made an offer, instead preferring to follow the status of Anton's teammate Samuel Sanchez.

At the end of November, Igor Anton is still without a contract for the coming season but yesterday a door appeared to have opened up for the Basque climber. In an interview with Radio Popoular, he claimed that he had been approached by the Colombia team which was keen on signing the former Giro and Vuelta stage winner.

"Yes, I would like it, it's a team that’s growing and has a good calendar. I would rate it very highly," he said in the interview.

Colombia has been created to help young Colombians reach the highest level in the sport and would like an experienced team leader that could facilitate the transition. Previously, the team has indicated its interest in Anton's teammate Samuel Sanchez who could play the role of mentor for the younger riders, and Anton could do a similar job on the Colombian team.

However, there will be no deal between Anton and Colombia for the 2014. Contacted by Ciclismo Internacional while in Colombia to plan the team's 2014 season, team manager Claudio Corti denies having made any offer to Anton.

"I was contacted by two different rider agents who made me offers, and although we know that he is a very good rider, Team Colombia made no offer," he said.

Instead, the team has all its focus on Sanchez whose contractual situation is still unsolved as he has a contract with Euskaltel for the coming two seasons. The parties are currently trying to find a solution that would probably include a buy-out.

"For now, we have no more to say about Anton," Corti said. "Our interest is to follow the status of Samuel Sanchez."

Anton was long rumoured to be joining Omega Pharma-Quick Step but ultimately failed to secure a place on the Belgian team. With Kevin De Weert's future being in doubt due to his dramatic Vuelta crash, it has been reported that a spot may still be open for Anton, should the Belgian fail to make a complete recovery.

However, De Weert has started now started his rehabilitation work in earnest and with the Colombia option also ruled out, Anton finds himself in a very uncertain situation.