Larne owner Kenny Bruce has distanced the Inver Reds from newspaper reports linking them with Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley.
It was claimed on Wednesday that the East Antrim club was ready to 'step up its pursuit' of the 31-year-old who helped fire the Reds to title glory in 2013 and 2014.
it was reported that a number of bids had been turned down by Cliftonville, but that Larne are "still keen” on getting a deal for Solitude's record goalscorer across the line.
However on Twitter, Bruce moved swiftly to pour cold water on the speculation, claiming his club’s spending was over for the summer.
The Larne owner tweeted: “Our shopping is done. These rumours sell papers. Xx”
Larne aren’t the only club to have shown an interest in Gormley with Ballymena United understood to have made at least one cash bid for the player in recent weeks.
Sky Blues boss David Jeffrey is thought to be a big admirer of the player and Gormley would tick all the boxes of what he's looking for in a striker.
Ballymena recruited former Sheffield United forward David Parkhouse from Derry City on a three-year deal last week.
However, the Showgrounds club, who are closing in on the signing of a winger, are still in the market for another goal scorer ahead of the new season later this month.
Gormley, who missed a large chunk of last season after a serious arm break, was absent from Cliftonville’s playing panel for Tuesday night’s 1-0 friendly win over Dungannon Swifts.
In his last four seasons since rejoining the Reds from Peterborough United in 2017, he has scored 96 goals in all competitions.
Larne have been busy in the transfer market already, the latest arrival being Navid Nasseri who joined on Monday from Linfield in a swap deal with Marty Donnelly heading in the other direction.
Ben Doherty was also snapped up from Coleraine, while former Northampton Town defender Cian Bolger, Ballymena Unied's Kofi Balmer and Scottish goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson were also signed at the start of the window.
