Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has denied speculation that his side have made an approach for Atlanta United striker Miguel Almiron.
The Magpies' head of recruitment Steve Nickson is reported to have been in the United States thrashing out terms with both Almiron and Atlanta ahead of the January transfer window.
According to The Sun, Benitez was awaiting the green light from owner Mike Ashley to get a £15m deal over the line for a man who was voted runner-up in this season's Most Valuable Player award in MLS.
Asked about the press reports at his weekly news conference, however, the Spaniard said: "I don't talk about players, but I've heard that someone has said we made an offer and after, we said, 'No, we didn't make any offer'.
"We don't talk about players. If we make an offer, they will know, we will know and not necessarily the press will know. At the moment, there is no news and we carry on with the players that we have trying to do our best for the next game."
Almiron has scored 13 goals and set up 11 more for Atlanta, who face Portland in Sunday's MLS Cup final.
Daniel Lewis
