Blackwell denies Beattie deal agreed

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The Potters were reported to have made an offer of £2.5million for the 30-year-old who has scored 34 goals in 65 appearances for the Blades since his £4million move from Everton in August 2007.

Blackwell told The Star: "I can confirm that Stoke have made an enquiry. I have left it with my board of directors and it is up to them to decide what to do from here."

He added: "As far as I'm concerned James is still a United player and that is how it will stay until I'm told otherwise."

Furthermore, chairman Kevin McCabe insisted no fee had been agreed for the former Blackburn and Southampton forward.

"No deal has been struck," McCabe said. "And if movement of players does occur, particularly involving those you do not want to go, then it would only be done to strengthen, not weaken the club.

"We will ensure that, as always, everything we do is in our best interests."

Beattie is the leading scorer at Bramall Lane with 12 goals and he is a vital component of the team's push for promotion to the Premier League.

The Blades are currently sixth in the Coca-Cola Championship and, should Beattie leave, it would be vital they replace him with a similarly prolific scorer as his fellow strikers - Billy Sharp, Danny Webber and Darius Henderson - have just eight goals between them this season.