Werder Bremen chief Klaus Allofs insists they won't compete for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan this summer.
BVB chief Michael Zorc announced this week that Gundogan has made a verbal transfer request.
"He is no story for us," insisted Allofs.
Manchester United and Arsenal are being linked with the Germany international.
Gundogan has just over a year to run on his current BVB deal.