Motherwell have failed to sign Livingston striker Jim Hamilton. The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season.
Motherwell manager Terry Butcher told the Daily Record: "I tried to bring him to Fir Park and spoke to Richard about it but he is keen to keep him.
"There has been a couple of conversations but that's as far as it got. Talk of a deal being completed is utter nonsense."
Livingston manager Richard Gough added: "He's under contract and nothing will be happening without our say-so.
"In fact, we were talking to him about a new contract a few weeks back but unfortunately we can't do anything until the share-holding issue gets sorted."
Meanwhile Hearts gaffer John Robertson may have to wait until the summer to sign Livingston's David McNamee and Burton O'Brien because of a sell-on clause which would give Blackburn Rovers more than half of any transfer fee.
Richard Gough, the Livingston coach, is keen to hang on to the players to help his side's fight against relegation.
Hearts are willing to pay around £60,000 for the duo, but a 60% sell-on clause would mean the West Lothian club would only receive around £25,000, with the rest going to the English side.
The Livingston board realise survival in the top flight is vital and it would be made easier if the pair of first-team regulars remained.
Robertson refused to comment yesterday on his interest in the duo, with McNamee his main target to replace Alan Maybury, who has gone to Leicester City. It is understood Hearts may even up their bid to try to win his signature. "We are playing Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup and that's is what I am here to talk about," said the Hearts coach.