Italian holding company IMMSI said on Monday no talks were under way for the sale of its 7.08 percent stake in Alitalia.

"IMMSI, in confirming the comments released by Air France, denies the existence of any talks in course with the aim of selling (the stake)," IMMSI said in a statement.

Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Sunday that Air France was in advanced talks to buy the whole of Alitalia.

"There is nothing. There are no negotiations," Air France CEO Alexandre de Juniac told reporters earlier on Monday.