March 19, 2008 6:09 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Villa Deny Bosingwa Bid

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has moved to deny media reports he has made a bid to Porto for full back Jose Bosingwa.

The Portuguese side's president Pinto da Costa, in response to rumours of interest from Manchester United, claimed this week he had only received one enquiry for Bosingwa, and that was from Aston Villa.

Da Costa revealed he had turned down Villa’s enquiry because Bosingwa was a player Porto wanted to keep hold of.

O'Neill has made no secret of his plans to strengthen his squad in the summer, but he insists he is not trying to sign the Portuguese right-back.

The Villa boss has said he has not been in contact with Porto for a year and is looking at options elsewhere.

“We have made no bid whatsoever. It's not true” O’Neill told the club's official website.

“That doesn't mean we're not interested in players. I know this story is definitely regurgitation because no-one from Villa has spoken to anyone from Porto in the last nine months.

“This is a categorical denial from me; it's as simple as that because we haven't spoken to anyone.”