Serie A giants Inter Milan today denied any contact with Manchester United over the transfer of Laurent Blanc.
Though it has been widely reported that the former French international was en route to Old Trafford to seal a deal with Manchester United, Inter Milan officials claimed they had received only informal approaches for the 35-year-old.
"There has been no concrete negotiations just vague talks," an Inter Milan director said.
Blanc, who missed the World Cup final triumph through suspension after Croat defender Slaven Bilic pretended he had been headbutted in the semi-final, had been expected to arrive in England this afternoon.
He was believed to be manager Alex Ferguson's first choice to fill the gap left by Dutch international Jaap Stam who joined Italian side Lazio on a 23.6-million-dollar deal at the weekend.
Blanc has turned down moves to Old Trafford on at least three previous occasions, and should he sign he would join compatriots Fabien Barthez, whose bald pate he memorably kissed at the start of each international for good luck, and Mikael Silvestre.
United need to make a signing before the end of the week for Stam's replacement to be eligible for the Champions League first group stages.
Blanc, who retired from the French national squad after their Euro 2000 victory, would receive an annual salary in the region of 2 million pounds (2.9 million dollars), according to reports.
AFP