Burnley manager Owen Coyle has laughed off rumours of a move for Newcastle winger Damien Duff, primarily because the Irishman appears to be out of his financial reach.
Reports in the press have linked Premier League new boys Burnley with a swoop for the 30-year-old, who was relegated to The Championship on the last day of last season with The Magpies.
Speculation over the size of Duff’s salary has seen doubts cast over The Clarets’ ability to lure him to Turf Moor, and Coyle has explained that such constraints mean that a move for the former Chelsea man is not on the cards.
“There will be a host of players out there who are out of our reach. I had to laugh when I was away on holiday [and saw] we were linked with a couple of players who I had never even spoken to!” Coyle told Burnley’s official website.
“Nobody will speak to clubs or players on my behalf, if there's somebody after them that will be me.
“I read a report linking us with Damien Duff, but he would be nowhere within our reach!
“I have not spoken to Middlesbrough about Rhys Williams, he is a player I like, but that's been it.
“I'm not going to get involved in speculation about transfers because it just leads to frustration for everybody.
“Some rumours will be a load of nonsense and what I can assure the fans is when I have news regarding players they will hear it from me first.
“Unless any speculation is confirmed by me, then they can take it as being a load of nonsense.”
Coyle is looking to strengthen his squad for their assault on the top flight, which kicks off with a trip to The Britannia Stadium to face Stoke before meetings with Manchester United and Chelsea in August.
“We will have the smallest budget in the league by far, but that doesn't faze me. In The Championship we were at the lower end of the scale, so that won't be a big issue for me,” Coyle added.
“I'm prepared to work with that, making sure I get players who are the best value for money and willing to represent this football club with all the heart, endeavour and quality that I ask from my group of players.
“I have already put a couple of offers in for players at different places and they were initially rejected, so you either have to move on, or revisit it. That's where we are.
“We will continue down that route and will do our best for Burnley Football Club. There is no panic, we have to make sure it's the right type of players we bring in for the longevity of this club.”