Lille manager Ren&eacute; Girard has distanced the club from reports at home and abroad linking them with striker John Utaka in the summer transfer window.<br /><br />Earlier, there were speculations that the former Montpellier gaffer was keen on his former pupil. <br /><br />Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Rene Gorard said: ''John Utaka? This is a great man. This is a Mister John. It is true that he is a great player and a player who could come and play for LOSC. <br /><br />''But for now, he does not matter. There is Salomon Kalou and many other very good players still in place in Lille. For the moment the spots are already occupied.''<br /><br />31 - year - old John Utaka technically became a free agent on Monday, July 1. <br /><br />In reality, he has been linked with Besiktas and unnamed clubs in China and Qatar.<br /><span><span style=""><br />Photo Credit: fifa.com</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br />