Arsene Wenger says Arsenal have "never been in touch" with Middlesbrough about Jonathan Woodgate following claims they have had a bid accepted.Middlesbrough chief executive revealed on Monday morning that as well as Newcastle and Tottenham, an unnamed club had been given permission to talk to the England defender.

The Gunners were rumoured to be that club, but Wenger has denied the story.

He told the club's official website: "I do not know where that story came from.

"There is no truth in it at all. We have never been in touch with Middlesbrough about Jonathan Woodgate."

Tottenham were thought to be favourites to sign the 28-year-old before Lamb's revelation.

He told talkSPORT: "We've agreed a fee with Tottenham and as far as I'm aware he went down at the weekend to have a medical and we're just waiting to see.

"We agreed a fee with Tottenham, Newcastle and another club but we left it up to Jonathan, he could stay or go."

Woodgate is one of Middlesbrough's prize assets but the player has been troubled by injuries in the last few years and Lamb said manager Gareth Southgate was happy to let the player go providing his valuation was met.

He added: "We've got an abundance of centre-backs and with the emergence of David Wheater and with Robert Huth back and Emanuel Pogatetz, Gareth felt he could let one of them go."

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