St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright says it would take a very lucrative offer for the club to even consider letting Stevie May go.
Wright said there have been a couple of enquiries for the Saints hitman in recent days but reaffirmed his view that May would be better off seeing out the season with St Johnstone as he strives to add to his 20-goal tally so far.
Courier Sport understands Saints have knocked back yet another bid from English League One club Peterborough United in the last few days.
“We are consistent,” he said. “Until the valuation is met he will remain our player. And even if a club meets our valuation it will be down to Stevie May.
“I have had a conversation with Stevie to make him aware of the inquiry because we keep him up to date. He said he wanted to stay to the end of the season, at least.
“We know we are going to get bids and Barry Fry (Peterborough chairman) and Darren Ferguson (Peterborough manager) obviously know a good player. That’s why they keep coming back in.
“But the chairman has a number in mind and until that is met nothing will happen.”
Peterborough had two bids for May rejected earlier in the season and it is understood the latest failed bid was in the region of £500,000.
Rotherham also remain interested after their advances were spurned in August, although Wright believes May could attract the interest of bigger-name clubs in the summer if he continues in his rich vein of form.
He said: “On the evidence of what we have seen this season and what I think he will develop into I believe he is of a higher standard than League One in England but Peterborough and Rotherham are good clubs with ambitions to get into the Championship.
“They probably think Stevie could make a difference as they go for promotion.
“But no one is going to get Stevie May on the cheap. That won’t happen. He will go eventually and for the market value.”
Ahead of Monday’s game against Dundee United, defender Brian Easton trained on Thursday and is in line to replace full back Tam Scobbie, who will miss the next two games through suspension.
With Murray Davidson out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery, Wright says he is still in the market for a midfielder although it looks unlikely that anyone will be in before the trip to Tannadice.
Wright also revealed that negotiations are proceeding with two members of the current squad to try and tie them down to longer-term contracts.