Liverpool have turned down a £12 million bid from Aston Villa for striker Robbie Fowler. The move by John Gregory came after the proposed transfer of River Plate striker Juan Pablo Angel to Villa collapsed.
But Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier dismissed the bid, claiming: "As soon as I heard that the Angel deal had collapsed I expected some kind of approach from Aston Villa so it was no surprise.
"I told Robbie about it and I told him that we didn't want him to go. But if he wants to leave then there are offers for him - not just from Villa.
"Robbie told me he wants to stay, and that is fine. We want him to stay and we have turned down the offers for him."
Chelsea have also made their interest in England striker Fowler clear but have so far received no encouragement from Liverpool.
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