Wright-Phillips not seeking move from City, says Ian

IAN WRIGHT has claimed Shaun Wright-Phillips' career would benefit from Champions League exposure - but the Arsenal legend insisted his stepson is not seeking a move away from Manchester City.

Blues officials have reacted tersely to speculation Chelsea are about to launch an €27 million swoop for their star man, insisting there has been no bid and they were not encouraging one.

But while there is no disputing City's desire to keep Wright-Phillips, a player they have nurtured through their youth system since he was dumped as a teenager by Nottingham Forest, the stark reality is, with debts of €94m, they may not be in a position to resist such a big money offer should it eventually arise.

Wright made a similar move himself when he quit Crystal Palace for Highbury in a then record €3.8m deal 14 years ago. The former England striker eventually went on to become the most prolific goalscorer in Arsenal history and insists Wright-Phillips would enjoy similar success should he eventually leave Eastlands. Yet, despite the obvious attractions available elsewhere, there has been no talk of a transfer from the player himself.

"I know Shaun is happy at Manchester City," Wright said. "He has never asked to leave and never said he wanted to go anywhere else. As far as he knows, he will be going back to Manchester City for pre-season training and I am pleased about that."

Although Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is a long-time admirer of Wright-Phillips, with a new stadium to pay for, the Gunners' lack Chelsea's financial clout, leaving the door open for Jose Mourinho to test City's resolve over a player looking to cement a place in Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad next summer.

Stamford Bridge chief executive Peter Kenyon is due back from holiday this week, so a significant development seems inevitable, while previous talk of City lining up bids for the likes of Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane suggests manager Stuart Pearce has prudently thought about a fall-back position should Chelsea push through a deal.

Wright claims he genuinely has no idea if the 23-year-old winger is going to leave but knows from personal experience his career will only prosper by playing at a higher level.

Meanwhile, Birmingham's hopes of signing Walter Pandiani on a permanent basis received another blow yesterday when his agent revealed the striker would welcome a move to Real Zaragoza.

Pandiani, 29, spent the second half of last season on loan at St Andrews from Deportivo La Coruna. New Depor coach Joaquin Caparros has made it clear he does not want the player to return to the Spanish club and it now appears the Uruguayan would favour a move to Zaragoza.

Former Sevilla coach Caparros, who joined Depor after the end of the season, has indicated Pandiani would not be welcome back.