Chelsea has warned Europe's top clubs Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is not for sale.
The double winner moved swiftly to silence speculation over the striker's future after he had been linked with a move to Manchester City by his agent.
Agent Thierno Seydi suggested in a radio interview Drogba could leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer deadline and said there had already been dialogue with City.
But while City insisted there was 'no foundation' to Seydi's remarks, Chelsea went further by declaring Drogba untouchable.
A spokesman for Chelsea told Press Association Sport: "It is all irrelevant, Didier Drogba is not for sale."
Seydi, who claims to act for Drogba, is noted for hyping up the 32-year-old's future during transfer windows.
But the Blues are in no way inclined to sell Drogba who enjoyed a superb season under Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, scoring 29 Premier League goals as Chelsea secured an historic league and FA Cup double.
The Elephants international has scored 84 goals for the club since his 24million pound signing from Marseille six years ago.
City, which has spent around 60million pound on Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Yaya Toure this summer, was equally dismissive of Seydi's remarks.
A City spokesperson said: "There has been absolutely no contact. We have not spoken to him and there is no foundation to this."
Seydi said the player was happy to remain with the Blues but, at his age, had to consider good financial offers from elsewhere.
"Today he is at Chelsea," Seydi told French station RMC. "There might be surprises before August 31.
"I have not talked to just anybody. The only contact I have had, directly, was Manchester City."
"What is certain is that at the present time he is very happy at Chelsea. That said, it is not forbidden for us to lend an ear to what is being said and written."
Meanwhile Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was the subject of an pre-season injury scare when he was forced out of training on Tuesday with a slight calf problem.
Cech went for scans on the injury this afternoon and the club expect to have the results back on Wednesday.