Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has claimed star man Damien Duff is close to signing a new contract with the Ewood Park club.
The Republic of Ireland international has been the subject of frenzied transfer speculation during the summer with both Liverpool and Manchester United believed to be in the hunt for the £10million-rated forward.
As recently as yesterday it was reported that Gerard Houllier was preparing a new bid to lure the Dubliner to Anfield but Souness insists no formal offer has been received for the 23-year-old in his two years at the Rovers' helm, and Duff is not for sale at any price.
Souness said: "We are getting very close to an agreement with Damien on a new contract.
"It is important for Damien because he wants to get it sorted out. In my time here we have not had one offer for Damien.
"We have had inquiries from Liverpool and Manchester United since the end of the season, but no offer. We don't want one. He is not for sale, end of story."
Duff is expected to be named in the Rovers' line-up for the opening game of the new Premiership season against Sunderland tomorrow, although he is likely to be given a more withdrawn role behind new attacking strike force Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke.
Duff had an outstanding World Cup campaign with Ireland, and if Souness can persuade him to stay with the Lancashire outfit, it would represent a major coup.
"All that happened during the World Cup was that our secret got out," said Souness.
"We have known we had a gem for a long time, but this summer Damien got the publicity he would have receive anyway had he been at a higher profile club."