Manchester City have confirmed they have rejected a £5m bid from Newcastle for their captain Sylvain Distin.
The Magpies refused to comment on the speculation concerning the defender but a City spokesperson told BBC Sport: "We have received and rejected the bid.
A City statement added: "Sylvain is not for sale. He has three-and-a-half years left on his contract and is staying."
Distin, 27, spent the 2001-02 season on loan at Newcastle from Paris St Germain before joining City for £4m.
The French centre-back left St James' Park under a cloud when he turned down their offer of a permanent move and opted for Manchester instead.
Newcastle claimed they had first option on Distin and complained unsuccessfully to the Football Association that City had made an illegal approach.
Distin quickly established himself with City and was made captain in the summer of 2003.
He has been in impressive form in recent months, forming a solid partnership with Richard Dunne at the heart of City's defence.
Home~RS~a~RS~Domestic~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~09~RS~){kind=small}
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
