Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle insists Scotland defender Grant Hanley is not for sale after the club rejected bids from Newcastle United for their captain.
Newcastle are said to have had offers of £3.5 and £4.5 million turned down by the Ewood Park club.
The 23-year-old, who has 23 Scotland caps, was named Rovers’ player of the year last season and still has two years to run on his existing deal.
Former St Johnstone manager Coyle is determined to retain the Dumfries-born player as he attempts to build a squad that can challenge for promotion in the English Championship.
Coyle, speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, said: “Number one, I don’t want to be selling Grant Hanley.
“But obviously we can’t stops clubs from admiring our players. It’s the same with me. I admire players at other clubs and you go after them.
“But what I would also say is about Grant Hanley’s valuation as a player. I hold him in a very high esteem. I think he is a very, very good player.
“And I think it’s fair to say, in my own opinion, they are nowhere near the valuation of Grant Hanley.
“I don’t want to lose him.”
