Norwich have turned down a transfer request from midfielder Wes Hoolahan.
The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international — who had been the subject of a bid from Aston Villa, driven by former Canaries boss Paul Lambert — submitted a transfer request on Tuesday, but that was swiftly refused.
A statement on club website canaries.co.uk on Tuesday evening read: “City can confirm Irish international midfielder Wes Hoolahan has today submitted a transfer request which has been rejected.
“The board of Norwich City has stated clearly no senior players will be sold against the club’s wishes and Hoolahan, 31, is contracted to the club until June 2015.
“The club will make no further comment at this time.”
Norwich’s board rejected the offer from Villa outright and refused to countenance the idea of Hoolahan leaving Carrow Road in the January transfer window.
Canaries boss Chris Hughton last week also stressed his desire to keep the seven-cap midfielder on board, insisting he was instead focused on bringing in reinforcements rather than seeing players leave.
When asked if Hoolahan could be sold this month, Hughton said: “At the moment our concentration is on can we add to the squad? Can we improve the squad? Not on letting players go out.
"We've had a few injuries, especially in midfield, and then Michael Turner will be out for a while as well.
“We are trying as hard as we can (to sign players), the same as everybody else, but January is a notoriously bad time to bring in players.
“But they also have to be right for the club.”
Hoolahan later issued his own statement to Sky Sports, in which he made clear his wish to leave.
“Following a meeting with the club chief executive, I felt I had no option but to hand in transfer request,” he said. “I have noted that request has been turned down.
“However, I believe it is in the best interest of Norwich, for whom I have the greatest respect, and myself that I am allowed to move on and play my football elsewhere.”
Hoolahan began his professional career with Shelbourne before a short spell with Scottish side Livingston. He joined Norwich in summer 2008 from Blackpool, ending a two-year stint at Bloomfield Road.
