Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has categorically denied claims he made an approach to Porto for Jose Bosingwa.

The Portuguese side's president Pinto da Costa, reacting to rumours of interest from Manchester United, claimed this week he had only received an enquiry from Villa about Bosingwa.

And Da Costa said Villa had been turned away because Bosingwa was a player Porto wanted to keep.

The Villa boss claims he has not been in contact with Porto for the best part of a year and is looking at options elsewhere.

He told the club's official website: "We have made no bid whatsoever. It's not true.

"That doesn't mean we're not interested in players. I know this story is definitely a 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."