MADRID, Oct 18 (Reuters) -Spanish media group Vocento said on Monday it has not had any contact with rival Prisa over the possible purchase of its sports newspaper As, denying a report on website El Confidencial.com
"We have had no contact (with Prisa)," a Vocento spokeswoman said.
Vocento, which runs a stable of media outlets, including conservative newspaper ABC, was prepared to pay 100 million euros for As, El Confidencial had said.
At 0741 GMT, Prisa shares pared opening gains to drop 0.56 percent to 1.76 euros, while Vocento lost 2.40 percent to 3.83, compared to a 0.58 percent drop in the blue chip IBEX
Banesto analysts flagged that the sale of As would be positive for Prisa, providing it with funds to cut its debt pile, while it would also fit in well with Vocento's expansion plans.
(Reporting by Robert Hetz; writing by Judy MacInnes; editing by Louise Heavens)