ALEX FERGUSON yesterday dismissed speculation he is about to make a bid for Real Madrid's Croatian striker Davor Suker. The Manchester United manager laughed off suggestions he is ready to compete with Arsenal for one of the stars of Euro '96 who is reported to be keen to play in England next season.

Suker who moved to Real from Spanish rivals Sevilla only eight months ago, has reportedly flown to London for talks with Highbury manager Arsene Wenger, although the Frenchman has dismissed this as "pure speculation."

The 29-year-old Suker's advisers were said to be trying to contact Ferguson to let him know Suker was more interested in a move to Old Trafford, but the Manchester manager insisted: "It is a load of nonsense. I don't know where they get these stories from."

Meanwhile, Arsenal's new 17-year-old forward Nicolas Anelka has returned to France to link up with his country's Under-20 international squad after completing his move from Paris St Germain to Hihbury at the weekend.

He will be back in London tomorrow to start training with his new team-mates and could even be in contention for a first-team debut a week on Saturday at home to Nottingham Forest.