Southampton claimed this morning that no deal had been struck with Arsenal for £10million-rated teenager Theo Walcott.
Saints chairman Rupert Lowe and director of football Clive Woodward visited the Gunners' training ground yesterday, but the Coca-Cola Championship club deny there was an ulterior motive behind the trip.
Arsenal are holding their regular media day at lunchtime, when manager Arsene Wenger is sure to face questions over the level of his interest in the 16-year-old.
Lowe, however, dismissed the notion his club were about to offload their prize asset.
"It is the first I have heard of it," said the Saints chairman. "We would have to have agreed a fee for him to do that - and we have not done so. Clive Woodward and I visited Arsenal's training ground on Thursday just to look at their facilities which are magnificent.
"Maybe that has caused some crossed wires? But we have not agreed to sell Theo, we want to keep him."
The striker has a pre-contract agreement with Southampton to sign a professional contract on his 17th birthday in March.
But Fifa rules mean Walcott could sign for another club after his birthday with the Saints entitled to compensation - which could be around £500,000 - decided by a tribunal.
The proposed move to north London could land the Championship side £10million, with around 35 per cent of the fee paid up front and the rest dependent on appearances and goals for the Gunners.
Lowe accepted there may come a time when it was right for Walcott to further his career elsewhere.
"We want him to stay as long as possible - but I cannot give any copper-bottomed answers and say he will be here for the next five years or two years or whatever," Lowe said on the club's official website, www.saintsfc.co.uk.
"We hope he will be and while he is happy that we are the club to give him the right career path to progress then I am sure he will stay. But if at any stage he wants to go then that will be a matter for him and his advisors and those he talks to."
Chelsea and Tottenham are also reportedly keen on signing the England Under-17 international.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have signed Auxerre midfielder Vasiriki Abou Diaby. The 19-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the London club, according to the French club's vice-president.
Gerard Bourgoin told L'Equipe: "The player has made the choice for Arsenal and Auxerre, who do not like ruining the careers of our players, have reached an agreement with the club."
