CHERRIES have quashed speculation linking them with a move for highly-rated Cardiff City striker Joe Mason.

Rumours the former Plymouth youngster could be on his way to Dean Court first surfaced earlier this week.

And reports in some of today’s national newspapers suggested Cherries had tabled a £2million bid for Mason.

The Sunday People claimed Mason would be cleared to speak to Eddie Howe after new Bluebirds boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had accepted the offer.

However, Cherries have responded by confirming to the Daily Echo that no official bid has been made for the Republic of Ireland under-21 international.

Mason, who was linked with a loan move to Dean Court in the summer, has been attracting interest from Brighton who had been hoping to sign Cherries striker Lewis Grabban.

He helped Cardiff to the Championship title and promotion last season and was their young player of the year in 2011-12 when he scored in the League Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.

Mason, a £250,000 signing from Plymouth in 2011, recently returned to Cardiff after making eight appearances during a loan spell at Bolton.

Trotters boss Dougie Freedman is understood to be keen to take Mason back to the Reebok on loan and may make a move after Bolton have met Cardiff in the FA Cup.