Coventry reject Hartson bid

John Hartson: Reported to want to leave Coventry

Coventry have turned down a £1m offer from Leicester for striker John Hartson.

Sky Blues chairman Bryan Richardson dismissed the offer as a "joke", insisting he had no intention of selling the Welsh international.

"Considering what they offered, I take it that it was a joke. The bottom line is there is absolutely no way we are interested in selling John Hartson," he said.

Hedman: On the verge of leaving Sky Blues

But Leicester are unhappy because Richardson declined to mention that any club buying Hartson will also have to pick up another £3m tab as part of the arrangement Coventry had with Wimbledon when signing Hartson.

That means in reality Leicester would be paying £4million if they landed Hartson.

Hartson is reportedly keen to leave relegated Coventry, who are paying him on a game-by-game basis.

But Richardson did confirm that Swedish goalkeeper Magnus Hedman was on the verge of moving away from Highfield Road.

He said: "There has been interest from a number of clubs in the London area and we are hopeful something will go through."

Hedman has been linked with Arsenal and Italian sides Fiorentina and Piacenza.