Speaking to reporters in Bangkok after watching his side canter to a 1-7 victory over a young Thai team, he said he had no knowledge of a rumoured bid worth around 35 million pounds (40 million euros, $54 million) for the towering defender, who can also play in a holding midfield role.

"We are here in Thailand, there is nothing we know about this," he said in a terse reply to a question on the potential for recruiting the Chelsea man.