MARK Hughes last night warned Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to forget any thoughts of launching a bid for Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Several stories have appeared in the national press over the last few days, claiming Wenger is lining up an audacious £8 million swoop for Rovers' impressive Norwegian wideman.

However, Hughes insists the Gunners chief would be wasting his time if he tried to buy Pedersen as Rovers are not interested in selling him - and certainly not for £8 million at a time when transfer spending in the Premiership has hit record levels.

The bullish Rovers boss said: "I've said before that none of my players will be leaving before the window closes, and you certainly couldn't get Morten Pedersen for £8 million, given the price that some players have gone for this summer."

With Rovers set to face Arsenal in the Premiership this weekend, Hughes even has a theory the Pedersen story may have been planted in the papers as part of an attempt to try and unsettle the winger ahead of the big match.

He said: "I just think in a week leading up to the game, possibly someone has been a little bit naughty and thought they would throw it out there to impact our game on Sunday.

"It isn't based on any fact."