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Sunderland and Arsenal have been credited with a firm interest in Delph during the past seven days – one report yesterday claimed Leeds would be willing to sell the 18-year-old to the Gunners, provided the London club agreed to send him back to Elland Road on loan.

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Bates today described that suggestion as "complete rubbish" and insisted he and United's management staff were more resistant than ever to the idea of allowing their England Under-19 international to break his four-year contract at Elland Road and walk out of Leeds.

The United chief confirmed that an enquiry about Delph had been received from Newcastle United, though it is believed to have been made before the player agreed his new deal in September.

Delph has given no indication that he wishes to leave United, where he was part of the academy set-up for several years before winning a place in their first-team squad, and Leeds have stressed they will not entertain bids for the midfielder in the January transfer window.

Delph's performances this season have given him a national profile – he is one of four players shortlisted for League One's player of the month award for October – but Bates is confident the midfielder will be at Leeds until at least the end of his current contract in 2012.

"Our position is very simple – Fabian Delph is not for sale, nor will he be in the future," said Bates.

"It's possible that clubs are floating ideas about how they might sign him, or deals they might want to reach with us, but they'll be told in no uncertain terms where to go if they ask us about him.

"Fabian's going to be a Premiership player, but he's going to be a Premiership player with Leeds.

"I hope he'll take the first step towards doing that at the end of this season, and that goes for all the kids we have here.