COLIN Todd was deeply involved in secret transfer talks today, ignoring speculation linking him with the vacant manager's job at Southampton.

The Wanderers boss, who is understood to be near to completing his second deal of the summer, is reported to have emerged as a target for the Saints, who are looking for a new boss after Graeme Souness sensationally quit last month.

But Bolton chairman Gordon Hargreaves contemptuously dismissed the suggestion, inisting: "There is no truth in it whatsoever.

"I have had no approach and I don't expect one."

Ironically, Todd will soon have Southampton on his mind. Wanderers kick off their Premiership campaign at The Dell on August 9 but for the meantime he is concentrating his efforts on strengthening his squad.

He has been linked with a variety of players, both at home and abroad, in recent weeks but right back Neil Cox, signed from Middlesbrough in a £1.5 million deal, is his only signing to date.

Top priority is a new striker to increase the firepower that produced a formidable 100 League goals in the Division One promotion campaign. But Todd is also looking to strengthen the left-back and centre-back positions.

Manchester United' Republic of Ireland international Denis Irwin is reported to have been short-listed for the No 3 shirt but Newcastle's John Beresford could emerge as a more likely contender if Kenny Dalglish is successful in his approach for Dynamo Tbilisi's £1.5 million-rated Georgian international Levan Kobiashvili.

Meanwhile, down at the the Dell new chairman Rupert Lowe is understood to have five men on his short-list for the manager's job: Souness' former deputy Terry Cooper, David Platt, Joe Royle, John Toshack and David Webb.

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