Man City dimiss Distin transfer talk

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — Manchester City have denied that they gave French defender Sylvain Distin permission to talk to fellow other Premiership sides over a possible transfer.

The 29-year-old has just a year left on his current contact, meaning City are aware they could lose him for nothing at the end of the season.

Both Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate and Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp have expressed an interest in Distin, who was club captain last season.

But City insisted Distin was talking to no one and was expected to be among the squad travelling to China later Tuesday for a two-match trip that will see them face Shanghai Shenhua on Friday and Japanese side Kashima Antlers on Sunday.

"Sylvain has not been given permission to speak to any club and...