The world's largest aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. denied a report in the Times of London that the company approached BHP Billiton Ltd's Mr Charles Goodyear to replace Mr Alain Belda as chairman and CEO.

Mr Kevin Lowery a spokesperson of Alcoa Inc said this is a fabricated rumor. We have not contacted him at all. But he declined to comment when asked if Alcoa was seeking a replacement for Mr Belda, 63.

The Times of London, citing unidentified analysts, said Mr Goodyear also may join a private equity company and then make a USD 30 billion bid for Alcoa and that Mr Jac Nasser a fellow BHP director and former CEO of Ford Motor Co. who is now a partner of JPMorgan Chase & Co’s One Equity Partners LLC may help Mr Goodyear.

Mr Sam Evans a spokesman of BHP Billiton said BHP Billiton won't comment on rumors and speculation and that he has made no plans for after his retirement.

Mr Goodyear, 49, announced recently that he will retire by the end of this year as CEO BHP Billiton.