Doha: Jupp Heynckes said on Saturday there had been no contact between Bayern Munich and Chelsea over Arturo Vidal and the Chilean international would not be sold during the January transfer window.

The veteran coach was responding to media reports over a possible transfer of the midfielder, which Heynckes dismissed as “pure speculation”.

“Certainly, there’s been no contact between the clubs,” Heynckes said at a press conference at the Aspire Zone in Doha where the Bundesliga leaders are on a winter training camp.

“It’s just speculation. Arturo Vidal is very motivated, he’s a top player and we need him at his very best if Bayern is to play well.” He added: “We won’t sell any players in the (transfer) window.”

Media reports in Britain and South America had linked the 30-year-old with a move to London in order to reunite with Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, who he played under at Juventus. But Heynckes ruled out any such move.

Bayern, who lead the Bundesliga by 11 points from Schalke 04, arrived in World Cup 2022 host Qatar on Jan.2.

They will play a friendly against Qatari league side Al-Ahli later on Saturday before returning to Germany on Sunday.

Bayern resume Bundesliga duties on Jan.12, when they play away to fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

Agence France-Presse