O'Neill rubbishes Zigic report
22 Jul 2008 - 12:35:53
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has categorically denied reports which claimed he had tabled a £5million offer for Valencia striker Nikola Zigic.
The giant Serbia striker was reported to be on O'Neill's wishlist as he looks to bolster a squad light on numbers.
Zigic joined Valencia last summer from Racing Santander in a £9million deal but struggled to recapture his best form at the Mestalla.
However, O'Neill insists he has not made an approach for the 27-year-old hitman, despite claims to the contrary from Valencia sporting director Juan Sanchez.
"There's not a grain of truth in the story that we've put in an offer for the player and I don't know where it's coming from," he told the club's official website.
"I wouldn't normally comment, but there have been so many stories claiming this as fact and people have been quoted.
"They're completely wide of the mark. So I felt I had to put the record straight."