BOLTON Wanderers have denied reports that Sam Allardyce has made a bold move to sign the Dutch international, Edgar Davids.

The Juventus midfielder, currently on loan at Barcelona, becomes a free agent this summer and is reported to be looking for a move to a Premiership club.

Newspaper reports on Wednesday morning claimed Allardyce had made a "substantial offer" to Davids but a Wanderers spokesman dismissed the claim.

"It is pure speculation, we don't know where this story has come from," the official said.

"We are interested in any quality players that become available but there has been no move made for Davids."

Even if they were interested in the former Ajax and AC Milan star, who will be a key figure in the Holland squad for the European Championships in Portugal next month, they would face stiff competition for a player who is one of the most sought-after free agents in Europe.

At 31, Davids still has much to offer at the highest level.

Having been a prominent member of the Juve side for six years, he was used by the Italians in only Champions League games in the first half of the season before moving to Spain in January. But he was on the losing side just once in 17 appearances, a major influence in the revival that took the Catalan club from a mid-table position to runner-up spot behind Valencia, and was named in the La Liga team of the season.

Barcelona president Juan Laporta wants him to stay at the Nou Camp but the player, who is nicknamed "pitbull" for his terrier-like qualities, is understood to be unhappy with the contract he has been offered.

He has been linked with a return to Italy with Inter Milan favourites for his signature after San Siro rivals AC Milan dropped their interest. But he is said to fancy a move to the Premiership, a claim that sparked speculation that Chelsea, who had previously registered an interest, would make a fresh approach.

Davids' agent, Robert Geering, is reported to have had a "substantial" offer from an English club and Wednesday's claims suggest that offer was from Wanderers.

If that were true then Allardyce would have conceded defeat in his attempt to lure Rivaldo to the Reebok. But Wanderers say they are still waiting for an answer from the legendary Brazilian.

"We will just have to see what happens," the spokesman added. "We haven't set a deadline on the deal and hopefully we will find out soon."