TRANSFER DENIALS

Last updated : 18 May 2004 By editor

David Moyes answers the reason why Ferguson has turned to Alan Smith:

"Wayne won't be sold. I'm sure of that," explained Moyes. "I have been planning for a long time, so hopefully some of the plans will come to fruition. I need to be confident they do happen because there's no way we can go again next season like that. If we don't invest over the summer it's going to be the same again next year."

Robbie Savage:

Villa's new chief executive Bruce Langham insists the reports linking the club with Birmingham's Robbie Savage are not true.

"We haven't inspired any of this and that's for a very good reason. He's not a target!" Langham told Villa's official website. We find ourselves involved in an apparent 'tug-of-war' when the story has absolutely no truth to it. As David O'Leary said last week, he has given the board a list of the men he would like to bring in this summer but Robbie Savage is not on that list. This is just a silly season story that has no basis in fact and a lot of people are getting hot under the collar for no reason at all."

Emile Heskey:

Birmingham City have denied deals to sign Emile Heskey and Muzzy Izzet were concluded yesterday, but hope to clarify the situation on today.

It had been thought Birmingham had signed Heskey for around £6.25 million from Liverpool and Izzet, who is available on a free transfer, from Leicester City.

Jesper Gronkjaer is also said to be a target for Steve Bruce.