LONDON. Dec 11 (Reuters/ Internet): Chelsea will not be buying River Plate's Spanish World Cup striker Juan Antonio Pizzi. contrary to reports from Argentina, the English side's managing director Colin Hutchinson has said.

Reports on Friday said the English premier league side had lined up a 2 million pounds ($3.34 million) bid to bring Pizzi to Stamford Bridge, but Hutchinson claimed it was mere speculation.

"With the injury to Gigi (Pierluigi Casiraghi), speculation linking us with strikers is to be expected and in recent weeks three different agents have sent us details on Pizzi." Hutchinson said.

"We did ask River Plate a few' weeks ago about a loan deal until the end of the season but were turned down. That is the end of the matter as far as we are concerned.

"Also, as we understand it. any deal with Pizzi returning to Europe so soon would involve his previous club Barcelona receiving a heavy payment which is likely to be a stumbling block for most clubs."

Rumours linking Chelsea with a striker coincide with Tore Andre Flo reportedly tiring of the "rotation system" at Stamford Bridge.

The Norwegian striker is Chelsea's second top scorer this season with five goals and is keen for the chance to prove himself over 90 minutes.