BOSS Eddie Howe insisted there had been “no bids” for any of his players – and would not waste his time thinking about the possibility of potential offers.

Star centre-half Nathan Ake has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea this window, the Blues are understood to have a £40million buy-back clause for the Dutchman.

Winger Jordon Ibe has also “emerged as an option” for Crystal Palace, according to a report in the Telegraph.

Asked if there had been any approaches or bids this window, Howe said: “No, no bids for any of our players.”

Cherries, who host Watford on Sunday (2pm), are 18th in the top flight - in the bottom three after a wretched run of one win in 10 league games.

Quizzed on whether there had been any indication that players are looking elsewhere, the manager replied: “I’d certainly hope not, not with the position we are in.

“It’s not a time for that, it’s a time for everyone to unite together. To be totally focused on achieving our goals and our aims.

“It’s a really difficult window to recruit but also to sell any of your top players – the ones that make the difference, the ones that are part of your plans.

“It’s an absolute no-no as far as I’m concerned if we are to achieve our objective.”

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Ake, who joined Cherries from Stamford Bridge for £20million in the summer of 2017.

Asked whether he was fearful of a call coming in for a player like Ake, the boss replied: “I can’t waste my time thinking about things I can’t control.

“It’s always been my way. I think I learned the most from when we were under the transfer embargo in that second season in management I had.

“Just focus on the players you have, focus on getting the best out of those players, don’t worry about things you can’t control. I have stuck with that to this day.”