SAM Allardyce today rubbished speculation linking Michael Ricketts with a £6 million move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

And the Wanderers' boss repeated his determination to keep the goal star at the Reebok.

"Contrary to what has been reported, we have never had any intention of selling Michael Ricketss, whatsoever," he insisted. "The reports saying we are ready to sell him are absolute rubbish. No club has contacted me directly and I have nothing else to say on the matter.'

Widespread reports claim Wanderers' chairman Phil Gartside met Galatasaray officials in Spain at the weekend after being approached with a deal that would smash the previous club record of £4.5 million set by the transfers of Jason McAteer to Liverpool and Alan Thompson to Aston Villa.

Ricketts, the 23-year-old Reebok top scorer, was the subject of repeated speculation last season, which intensified when he went through an uncomfortable period in the wake of criticism following his England debut.

But it had been all quiet on the rumour front during the close season ... until today.

To date Wanderers have spent the summer recruiting big name signings - including midfielder Bulent Akin from Galatasaray on a free transfer - in an effort to strengthen their squad for a second successive Premiership campaign.

An independent tribunal will sit to decide the fee Wanderers must pay Huddersfield for Delroy Facey.

The clubs have failed to agree a price for the 22-year-old striker, who has signed a three-year contract at the Reebok and the case will now go to a tribunal in Manchester on August 15.

Karl Luisi (two) and Derek Malcolm got the goals as Wanderers' U-14s beat Vikingur 3-1 to win the Rey Cup in Reykjavik.

The Reebok kids won all five matches in the tournament, which featured Iceland's top youth teams.