Gill confirms Reds rebuff
20 Jul 2007 - 08:33:36
Manchester United chief executive David Gill has reaffirmed the club's stance over Gabriel Heinze by backing Sir Alex Ferguson's insistence that the defender won't be sold to Liverpool.
Earlier in the week, Ferguson rubbished claims the Argentina international would be sold to United's bitter Premier League rivals in a £6million deal.
The former Paris St Germain defender is believed to be unhappy at Old Trafford after losing his first-team place to Patrice Evra last season and has also been linked with moves to Spain and Italy.
Gill revealed the Reds tabled a bid for the 29-year-old on Monday which was immediately rejected.
The United chief also insisted that although Heinze's agent Roberto Rodrigues continues to suggest his client will be on his way before the start of the new season, the player remains under contract with the Premier League champions.
"On Monday night we received a written offer and we've rejected that. It was a significant offer," admitted Gill.
"But we rejected it because it's Liverpool. We wouldn't sell a player to Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea.
"We've relayed that to the agent in no uncertain terms. I couldn't have been clearer.
"If the club were still a plc it might be different, but we don't have some of those pressures now.
"Gaby's got two years left on his contract. We're not desperate to sell him. If there was a significant offer from overseas, we would discuss that internally and discuss it with the player."
Gill has also played down suggestions Heinze could invoke a new FIFA rule and buy himself out of the remaining two years of his contract.
He said: "You can only use FIFA article 17 to give notice within 15 days of the end of the league season.
"I know there was a Hearts player (Andy Webster) who did it, but I think it's an unusual route to go.
"I think it's fraught with danger for players and that G14 clubs would be reluctant to do that."
