Inter Milan technical director Marco Branca insists the club are not in talks over the sale of Wesley Sneijder - but admits it is not surprising that Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in signing him.
Branca was speaking after watching Inter lose 2-1 to rivals AC Milan in the Italian Super Cup on Saturday, and following reports in Italy that City had agreed a fee for the 27-year-old Dutchman.
Reports in Italy on Saturday morning had claimed City had agreed a £31million fee with Inter and that Sneijder would earn £5m a year by moving to Eastlands.
Both clubs later denied a deal had been done, with City officials on Saturday afternoon even denying that they had lodged a bid for the Netherlands international.
Reports in British newspapers on Sunday morning, however suggest City are interested in hijacking United's move for Sneijder (see below), but according to Branca, neither club has even been in touch.
"We have not even received any calls from Manchester," Branca told Italian press agency Ansa.
"You keep asking me about Sneijder's future but in all honesty I don't know what to say.
"Right now there have been no talks and there are no negotiations between the clubs."
But Branca admitted he was not surprised that clubs were interested in the playmaker.
"Sneijder is one of the best players in the world in his position, so it’s normal that the top European clubs would be interested," he added.
"It’s natural that someone will try to get the best on the transfer market."