James McCarthy remains the subject of transfer speculation today with Swansea the latest in a long line of clubs reported to have tabled a big-money offer for the Republic of Ireland under-21 international.
Swansea have admitted their interest in the Hamilton midfielder but have denied making a multi-million pound bid for the player.
The 18-year-old, the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, has been linked with a number of clubs on both sides of the border and yesterday turned down an offer from Celtic.
Reports in Scotland suggested Swans manager Roberto Martinez was prepared to pay up to €4.4million for McCarthy after watching him in Hamilton’s 1-0 defeat to Falkirk on Wednesday, but the Swansea chairman denies the offer was anywhere close to that figure.
“I thought April Fool’s Day was last month,” Huw Jenkins said. “This is fantasy football.”
Portsmouth have also had a bid — reportedly €550,000 — turned down for the player.
Hamilton boss Billy Reid does not want to lose McCarthy, who signed a new three-year contract last summer, but insists he will not stand in the teenager’s way if he wants to leave.
