SYDNEY has categorically denied any interest in North Melbourne forward Mason Wood, who had been linked to the club on Thursday.

The Swans say they have not made any approach to Wood or his management and that their priority is re-signing their own players, including prized midfielder Tom Mitchell.

Meanwhile, North Melbourne is satisfied from its inquiries that Sydney has not made a bid for the 22-year-old forward, whose management will meet with the Kangaroos next week.

“It was news to us when we read that,” Sydney football manager Tom Harley told Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight.

Round 18

“We’ve been in touch with North Melbourne to refute that. We haven’t made any contact.

“It’s not our position to talk about contract negotiations, but I can unequivocally deny that report.

“We’ve had no contact with North Melbourne, other than to say we’re not interested and we’ve made no contact with his management group.”

Reports on Thursday suggested the Swans would offer the uncontracted Wood a deal worth around $500,000 per season.

North Melbourne is keen to retain Wood, who has often been on the fringes of the side due to the presence of three tall forwards — Jarrad Waite, Drew Petrie and Ben Brown.

However, the Roos rate Wood highly and want to reassure him that he has the opportunity to become a regular member of the side’s best 22.

Petrie and Waite, both 33, are out of contract at the end of this season and the club is waiting to see what unfolds before beginning discussions with several of their uncontracted veterans.