Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has dismissed reports he is lining up a £4m bid for Saints winger Fabrice Fernandes.

There were tabloid rumours yesterday that Houllier was hoping to sign the 23-year-old before the transfer window closes next week.

But Houllier, who has admitted being impressed with the form of Fernandes, dismissed the reports out of hand.

He said: "I have been linked with four or five players in the papers this week. That's quite good for a manager who has said he won't be signing anybody before January 31.

"At this time of year agents get more and more involved. I understand that and it's part and parcel of football."

Chairman Rupert Lowe has repeatedly reassured fans that Saints are not a selling club. He said: "We have received no offers for any player and we tend to just ignore this sort of speculation. We are focused on winning football matches."

Saints are likely to value the French winger, signed in December 2001 for £1.1m from Rennes, considerably higher than the reported £4m valuation.

Manager Gordon Strachan has been delighted with Fernandes' contribution and has said the club would only listen to "fantastic offers" for his top players.

"It is a waste of time to come in with sensible offers, good offers or even great offers for our players. If we get a fantastic offer then any club would have to listen," he said in the Echo last month.

Fernandes said: "At the moment I am very happy to stay at Southampton. What I have done this season is down to the work of Gordon Strachan.

"I feel very confident with my football at the moment, I have progressed and things are going very well. I want to become a great player. I have the future and possibility to play much better and gain much more experience."

But Fernandes' agent, Willy McKay, has reportedly claimed that several clubs have expressed an interest in his player.

He said: "I know of the interest from a number of clubs in Fabrice. He is the type of wide player that Liverpool are looking for. Farbice is very friendly with El Hadji Diouf having been brought up together in Paris.

"He is an ambitious player and he has ambitions to play for the France national side. I have been contacted about his situation by a number of top clubs."

If Fernandes was to be sold before the January transfer window is up, it would be "a huge shock" to the Saints faithful.

That was the view of regular supporter Dave Ford, who admitted: "Fernandes has to be one of the fans' players of the year. He is up there with the likes of Bridge, Beattie and Niemi - a genuine class player.

"I know we're not a selling club anymore, but if a player wants to leave, Lowe isn't going to stand in his way.

"Fernandes is settled here, he's virtually guaranteed a starting place every week due to his performances this season.

"If he did go to Liverpool they have such a big squad there's no guarantee he'd play every week.

"And there's no way Saints should accept a fee as low as £4m for him. I know the prices have come down in recent months, but it's still a low sum for a player who will almost definitely play for the French international team one day.

"He's got to be worth at least £5m, but the club should do what they did with Dean Richards and hold out for as big a fee as they can. I would be extremely disappointed to see him go, and I'm sure every Saints fan would say the same."

l Saints have released Moroccan defender Tahar El Khalej to allow him to find another club before the transfer window closes next week.

El Khalej's contract was due to expire at the end of the season but the man signed from Benfica by Glenn Hoddle for £350,000 in March 2000 was released early having made 65 appearances for the club. His last start came on the final day of last season when he was sent off for a foul on Newcastle winger Kieron Dyer.

El Khalej, 34, said: "I don't know what I am going to do now. Maybe I will go home to Morocco? It is very sad to be going because I love the club, the city and the fans.

"Southampton will always have a place in my heart. I thank them for everything and wish them good luck for the future. I really hope to see them playing in the UEFA Cup next season."