BLACKBURN Rovers today denied they have received a £6m bid from Arsenal for Graeme Le Saux.

Rovers chairman Rob Coar moved swiftly to dismiss a national newspaper story linking the wing-back to a move to Highbury.

The unsettled England defender returned home from Le Tournoi last night as speculation continued over his future at Ewood Park.

Coar said: "We have not had a bid from Arsenal. The story is news to me."

Le Saux, who marries girlfriend Mariana Crawley this week, is on a long term contract.

Yet he has hinted that his future may lie away from Ewood Park.

It is not the first time Le Saux's name has been linked to Arsenal, with Italian champions Juventus also reported to be increasingly interested in the 28-year-old.

Meanwhile, Hamburg could throw the book at Stephane Henchoz if he fails to report for training in Germany next Tuesday.

And the Bundesliga outfit have told Rovers: 'Pay us £3 million or forget the deal.'

New Hamburg coach Frank Pageldorf held a press conference at the Volksparkstadion this morning as he prepared Hamburg for their Inter-Toto Cup marathon which begins in Iceland next week.

And high on the agenda was Henchoz's future. Pageldorf said: "The situation is still the same. He will not be given permission to go to Blackburn unless they pay us 8million Deutschmarks.

"We only want players who are committed to Hamburg. We fully expect to see Henchoz in Hamburg on Tuesday.

"But the situation is quite clear and simple. He is still our player until Blackburn or whoever buys him."

Hamburg are still claiming Rovers wanted to take Henchoz on trial to prove his fitness following extensive ankle surgery before rubber-stamping deal.

But that claim was strongly refuted by Rovers chairman Rob Coar this week. Coar insisted: "The deal is still on course and we have applied for the necessary work permit."

A reliable Hamburg source told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "Nobody knows where Stephane is.

"He has sold his apartment in Hamburg and has probably returned home to Switzerland.

"It would not be a surprise if the player did not arrive for training next week. If that happens then the club will certainly discipline him. It really remains to be seen what happens over the weekend."

Supporters who wish to pay for their season tickets by direct debit must return their mandates to Ewood Park by Friday, June 20.

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