The France under-19 skipper had claimed he had turned down a move to Fratton Park from Strasbourg.

Instead he opted for St Mary's, where he put pen to paper on a four-year deal on Friday.

Schneiderlin's decision to snub the Blues has been met with delight among gloating supporters from Pompey's bitter rivals.

It's news to Storrie, though.

The Blues' chief executive had never previously heard of the 18-year-old, let alone attempt to broker a move.

And he couldn't contain his amusement to hear the player suggesting otherwise.

He said: 'It's absolute rubbish, I have never even heard of him.

'Are they having a laugh? Is it April 1 or something? We've never been after such a player. To suggest otherwise really is rubbish.

'Why would anyone ever choose Southampton ahead of Portsmouth in the first place, no offence meant.

'I would certainly know if we had made an approach for him and that is definitely not the case.

'It's all rather amusing, really.'