Norwich City chief executive David McNally has denied claims City had agreed a reported �2m deal to sell skipper Grant Holt to Leicester.

McNally used the club's official twitter feed to refute national media stories that the striker was set to leave just eight days before City's Premier League bow.

The Canaries' hierarchy were forced to respond following a Daily Mail report earlier in the day which stated Holt was poised to solve Leicester City's ongoing striker search. 'There is absolutely no truth in the Daily Mail story saying we've accepted a bid for Grant Holt from Leicester,' said McNally. 'Our captain's not for sale.'

The report claimed City were now prepared to cash in on the Carlisle-born frontman following the close- season arrival of Steve Morison.

Holt only signed a new three-year deal to remain at Carrow Road just weeks before helping Paul Lambert's side clinch back-to-back promotions last season. The 30-year-old has become a cult figure with the club's fans since arriving from Shrewbury for �400,000 in June 2008.

The Canaries' reigning player-of-the-year has so far scored 53 goals during his stay in Norfolk – including a memorable hat-trick against archrivals Ipswich last season.

Holt also registered against Leicester in a 3-2 away win at the Walkers Stadium in early March that prompted Foxes' chief Sven-Goran Eriksson to label him as the best forward of his type in the Championship.

The former England manager did confirm yesterday the promotion favourites had drawn up a list of potential targets – including Reading hitman Shane Long.

Sky also reported last night that West Brom had accepted �2m bids from both Leicester and East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest for bustling striker Ishmael Miller.