Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says he is not aware of in-demand star Max Johnston making a visit to Norwich City's training ground - and says he would have expected some notification from the player if that was the case.
The 19-year-old right-back has been the subject of transfer speculation for months as the clock ticks down on his Motherwell deal, and he is yet to sign the new contract that has been put his way by the Steelmen.
Johnston was absent from last Saturday's 2-0 win at St Johnstone, although Kettlewell revealed his player has been struggling with a hamstring issue.
Ahead of Saturday's Premiership clash with Ross County, Kettlewell was asked if he was aware of Johnston making any visit down south and he said: "Pass. I don't know.
"What I would expect, if someone was visiting another football club and that was the case, then I would expect there to be some dialogue there.
"There has been absolutely no dialogue from Max or his representatives to tell us that was happening.
"I am very old school in my way of thinking here, but I genuinely think if something like that was to come about, picking up the phone, a text message, a face-to-face, something like that would come our way.
"So I can't confirm or deny it. I'm not entirely sure if that has been the case, but I certainly know the process that I would expect to happen if that was the situation."
Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon and Italian Serie A outfit Bologna are also understood to be admirers of the Scotland youth international.
Kettlewell has consistently stated his desire to keep Johnston, who has been nominated for the Scottish Football Writers' Young Player of the Year award this week, at Fir Park next season.
But he knows the ball isn't in his court.
He added: "I've made it abundantly clear what I think of Max and I keep saying it because I pick him every single week when he was fit.
"We know he's got a hamstring niggle just now. It's not a major issue but it kept him out on Saturday and it has kept him off the park for a day or two this week as well.
"I would love to keep Max at the football club. He is an academy player that's been given an opportunity over the last few months to flourish, off the back of a couple of good loans as well I have to say, and it is important that I emphasise that I want to keep the player.
"Whether Max wants to try somewhere else, whether his representatives and his family think that his future is better served somewhere else is completely out of my control.
"The one thing I can tell you is that I have offered him the best deal that is on offer to me and the football club, and what we can do within the realms of our financial status.
"We've put that out there - and it has been out there for a while now - so whatever comes, comes.
"The other layer I need to put onto that is at no point has it been an issue in terms of how Max trains or plays, how approachable and how coachable he is. He listens to everything and wants to work hard."
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