MANAGER Michael Duff has said Swansea have rejected a bid from an unnamed club for defender Nathan Wood amid interest from Saints.

On Wednesday morning, reports emerged suggesting the St Mary’s side submitted a formal offer worth around £10million for Wood.

However, Swansea club sources and those connected with Saints both rejected the assertion a formal offer had gone in.

Wood, an England under-21 international, impressed under Saints manager Russell Martin last season and the Daily Echo understands he is a target.

Duff, who replaced Martin this summer as the former Scotland defender made his move to St Mary’s, discussed the interest on Thursday.

"I think there's a bid, yeah," he told Wales Online, when asked about the speculation. "I think it got rejected.

Daily Echo:

“It's a sign of having good players. If no one's bidding for any of the players then we'd be useless. We think we've got some good players.

"Woody's one of those. He's got loads and loads of work to do, but he's got a high ceiling in terms of his footballing ability and his attributes as well.

"As an ex-centre-half, I'll try to help him as much as I can, and we'll see what happens."

Pressed on whether the bid was from Saints, he added: "I know there was a bid. I've read the same Sky Sports News as you."

If an initially reported offer of around £10million is not enough, how much will it take to land Wood in the final week of the window?

Wood, 21, signed from Middlesbrough last summer and has made 48 Championship appearances, scoring in a 3-2 defeat at West Brom this season.

Duff insists he is not part of the discussion over what it would take for Saints, or any potential suitors, to land Wood.

He said: "I don't get involved in that part of the conversation. There will be a valuation of every player. If it's met, they get sold. That's the food chain. It doesn't matter where you are in the football world.

"Unless you're a Barcelona or a Man City, or a Chelsea, then every player has a price. Do I get involved in what people are worth? I have an opinion and I speak to Paul (Watson) but I'm not a decision-maker in terms of that."

Asked if he expects Wood and fellow target Joel Piroe to start against Preston on Saturday, Duff replied: "I think so, yes. The players aren't daft. They've all got agents.

“Social media's everywhere. It's not like I'm burying my head in the sand thinking 'I hope no one's talking to them'. I'm pretty confident people will be talking to them whether they should or they shouldn't be.

"Their job is to come in and give their best. They're paid to train properly and play football. Whatever will happen will happen."