Republic of Ireland hopeful Lee Trundle could be denied a potential move to the Premiership this month if Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has his way.
A move away from the League One side would greatly enhance the 29-year-old striker’s chances of a coveted international call-up from new manager Steve Staunton.
But Jenkins insists the striker will not be leaving Swansea despite renewed speculation linking him with a move to out-of-sorts Premiership side Everton.
Everton manager David Moyes is in the hunt for a new striker following Marcus Bent’s switch from Merseyside to Charlton yesterday.
Trundle is said to be one of three targets - Blackburn's Paul Dickov and Rangers' Peter Lovenkrands being the others - but Everton are refusing to be drawn on the speculation.
Swansea have received no official bids for Trundle and Jenkins insists the striker - whose grandfather hails from Inchicore, Dublin - is not for sale.
"We want to keep all our best players to help bring success to the club. It's totally hypothetical. Until we get something in writing there is nothing to consider," Jenkins said.
Critics say Trundle is too old for a move into the top flight but his scoring record speaks for itself. Already this season he has bagged 17 goals for promotion-chasing Swansea.
The Liverpudlian is keen to play for the Republic of Ireland and his chances of achieving that goal were boosted on Monday when Staunton said he would pursue the ‘granny rule’ in order to get fresh talent.
