COLIN Sexstone has revealed Bristol City have yet to receive a firm offer for any of their players.

And the chief executive sought to play down rumours north of the border linking Scotland international midfielder Paul Hartley with a possible move to Hibernian.

Unsubstantiated sources in Edinburgh suggest Hibs are contemplating a raid for City's experienced playmaker, who has 12 months remaining on his Ashton Gate contract.

But Sexstone, who is taking an increasingly hands-on role in transfer matters since chairman Steve Lansdown relocated to the Channel Islands, insisted there has been no communication between City and the Scottish Premier League club.

He said: "This is all talk as far as I'm concerned. I can say categorically that we have not had a single phone call from anyone at Hibernian or anyone representing the club or Paul Hartley.

"Paul is a very good player, is an important part of our team and has a year still to run on his contract."

A return to the club where he launched his career could prove attractive for Hartley, whose family remain in Glasgow. But Sexstone doubts Hibernian would be able to accommodate his financial demands.

He explained: "Paul took a cut in pay to come from Celtic to Bristol City and Hibs have a far smaller wage bill than Celtic.

"I can see why he might want to be nearer to his family, but he has not talked to us about it and, as far as we are concerned, these rumours coming from Scotland are nothing more than that."

City supporters will be relieved to hear that there has been no interest in star striker Nicky Maynard, who bagged 20 Championship goals last season.

Sexstone said: "We've not had a single enquiry for Nicky and that is good news. There are agents on the phone every day now, most of them offering us players.

"But we have not had anyone calling to make an offer for any of our players."

Sexstone dismissed out of hand a Sky Sports report suggesting City boss Steve Coppell is considering making a move for Helmstads forward Marcus Olsson, whose brother, Martin, plays for Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League.

Sexstone said: "I've not even heard that name mentioned. When Steve Coppell was first appointed, we were linked with a lot of his former players at Reading. Now we have announced our plans to tour Sweden in pre-season, it seems we are being linked with players over there.

"It is nothing more than speculation and it is as inaccurate as it is predictable."

Meanwhile, City have confirmed they will play three friendly fixtures in Sweden in July.

Coppell will take charge of his first game when the Robins meet top-flight side IFK Gothenberg at the Kungsbacka Stadium on Tuesday, July 13 (7pm).

City will also play Helsingborgs on Thursday, July 15 at a venue still to be decided and then complete their tour with a fixture against Swedish fourth division minnows VS Vallens on Saturday, July 17 (4pm).