Soccer

Anelka and Johnson to stay put

Rumour Mill: Bolton chairman Phil Gartside says Manchester United don't want to sign Nicolas Anelka.

Mon Jun 04 2007 - 01:00

Rumour Mill:Bolton chairman Phil Gartside says Manchester United don't want to sign Nicolas Anelka.

The French striker was linked with a shock move to Old Trafford on Friday as the Premiership champions look to wrap up their summer spending by landing a top hitman.

And Anelka, who arrived at the Reebok Stadium in an £8million deal last summer, admitted over the weekend that he "could not say no" to a move to Old Trafford.

But Gartside says the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City star won't be Alex Ferguson's next big signing.

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He says he's had talks with United chief executive David Gill, who told him he isn't planning a bid for Anelka.

Gartside told Bolton's official website: "David Gill has confirmed to me that Manchester United has no interest in Nicolas Anelka.

"Sammy Lee is looking to build a squad for next season and we absolutely have no interest in selling any of our better players. Nicolas, of course, is one such player."

In Merseyside Everton have hit back at reports that West Ham are to make a big-money bid for their star striker Andrew Johnson by insisting the player is not for sale.

The Hammers are reported to be interested in bringing the former Crystal Palace forward back to London, and are said to be prepared to pay between £13-18million for the England man.

But Everton chief executive Keith Wyness was adamant Johnson would remain at Goodison Park.

Wyness told the club's official website: "We have had no contact from any club with regard to Andrew Johnson - nor would we welcome any.

"Whilst I feel certain there will be many Premiership clubs who will covet a player of Andrew's skills and abilities, he is an Everton player and, as he made perfectly clear on several occasions last season, he is very happy to be an Everton player."

The 26-year-old, who began his career at Birmingham before scoring goals galore at Palace, scored 12 goals for the Toffees last season to help fire them to UEFA Cup qualification.

He joined Everton last summer in an £8.6million deal, and although he missed the end of the season with an ankle injury he is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training.