Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill has dismissed weekend reports claiming his club had had a bid accepted for Town target Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Burnley sources are also playing down suggestions that the Clarets have had an offer accepted for the Arsenal youngster, which would appear to leave the way clear for the Blues to complete the signing the 20-year-old.
Cotterill said: "We haven’t put in a bid for him. There is absolutely no truth in that whatsoever. He’s not a player who has been on our radar at all this year.
"I have no idea where that has come from. Maybe he is going somewhere else and the agent is trying to drum up interest. But there is no interest from us.”
One of this morning’s tabloids claims the Blues have agreed to pay Arsenal £1.1 million for the striker or wideman rather than the £1 million previously understood to be the fee.
On Friday, Town manager Paul Jewell said he hoped to sign two players by Monday. In addition to the permanent acquisition of Emmanuel-Thomas, keeper David Stockdale is set to complete a season-long loan switch from Fulham.
Elsewhere, Southend sources say the Shrimpers are yet to receive a bid for defensive midfielder Anthony Grant, linked with the Blues and a number of other clubs yesterday. Town enquired about the former Chelsea youngster earlier in the year.