Bolton chairman Phil Gartside claims Manchester United have shown no interest in signing Nicolas Anelka and added that the club would not welcome a bid for the French striker.

Speculation that the Premiership champions could be interested in signing Anelka had been growing since the season ended. They were further fuelled when Anelka, who joined Bolton last summer admitted that he “could not say no” to a move to Old Trafford.

Gartside has revealed that United chief executive David Gill has told him they have no interest in signing Anelka.

Gartside told www.bwfc.co.uk: “David Gill has confirmed to me that Manchester United has no interest in Nicolas Anelka.

“Sammy Lee is looking to build a squad for next season and we absolutely have no interest in selling any of our better players. Nicolas, of course, is one such player.”

Anelka has played for a host of clubs including Paris St Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Fenerbahce.