City: No bid for Richards

Manchester City have angrily dismissed speculation that Chelsea have lodged a £13million bid for defender Micah Richards.

Richards, 18, who became the seventh-youngest England international in history when he turned out in the 1-1 draw against Holland in November, is thought to have been targeted by Jose Mourinho as he looks for an answer to Chelsea's problems at the back.

But a City spokesman insisted: "There has been no bid and no contact from anyone about any of our players."

City boss Stuart Pearce has already stated his desire to keep Richards, believing it would further the player's interest to remain at Eastlands.

And Richards hardly needs any reminding that the last player to leave City for Chelsea, Shaun Wright-Phillips, has endured a tortuous time at Stamford Bridge.