Gareth Southgate has dismissed speculation linking Gary O'Neil with a transfer to Everton.
The Middlesbrough manager has responded to newspaper reports which claimed that David Moyes was preparing a bid for the midfielder.
"I saw the stories as you have about Everton but we've heard nothing from them," Southgate said.
"There has been a lot of speculation but I don't really know where it's come from.
"Whether it's come from an agent we don't know, but we have very good links with Everton at boardroom and every other level. It would appear to be a rumour rather than substance."
Elsewhere, Southgate admitted that interest in Afonso Alves and Tuncay is intensifying as the closure of the transfer window approaches.
Boro have already accepted a bid for Alves from a club in Qatar, but the two parties were unable to agree terms. However, Southgate is still expecting the Brazilian forward to leave the Riverside in the near future.
"He and his representatives are talking to another club at the moment but we have not agreed a fee with that club," Southgate said.
"We accepted a bid from a Qatar club and there are a couple of other clubs interested. But I would expect something to happen in the next few days."
Meanwhile, Southgate has also confirmed that Tuncay has been the subject of inquiries from a number of Premier League clubs, but Boro have yet to receive an offer for the player.
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