Hibernian's hopes of sealing a cut price deal for Ross Stewart in January have been dented after John Hughes claimed it would take a bid of £500,000 to prise him away from the Highlands before the end of the month.
The Easter Road outfit are reportedly among a clutch of Scottish sides monitoring the 24-year-old's contract situation at Ross County with the forward's deal due to expire at the end of May.
Aberdeen, Dundee United and a host of English Championship clubs are also keeping tabs on his progress after netting 28 times in his last 82 games.
The former St Mirren man, a Jack Ross signing in Paisley, is set to return for The Staggies' visit to Rangers this weekend after missing the last five games with a hamstring injury.
But former Hibs boss Hughes is confident he will at least see out the season in Dingwall with a lofty price tag designed to ward off potential suitors.
“It is evident Ross won’t be here next year but I have a real feeling coming from him that he wants to be part of keeping this club in the Premiership," he told his pre-match press conference.
“I think it would be his way of thanking the club for everything they have done for him over the last few years. He is very grateful for the stage the club has given him."
“He seems quite happy to be here the rest of the season, as would we be. But if a club comes in with a bid of £500,000 then we have a decision to make.
“I have had no complaints about Ross as he leads from the front. He said to me what will be, will be.
“People see him and think he is just a big target man but he is a great footballer. He can look after the ball, his touch is very good and he has an eye for goal.”
