Celtic and Rangers linked striker Ivan Toney asked Peterborough United to sanction a transfer move in January and their refusal means they WILL allow him to depart this summer.
And Posh director of football Barry Fry admits that the decision could "backfire" when it comes to the fee the League One club could rake in.
United finished seventh in a coronavirus interrupted term with Toney grabbing 26 goals and seven assists in 39 games.
Speculation has grown that the Glasgow pair are considering a move for the jet-heeled finisher with Celtic recently appointing former Peterborough coach Gavin Strachan to their staff. Having previously watched him last season.
Fry has claimed 10 clubs from the English Premier League and Championship have made initial enquiries for a player he values in the £10m bracket.
And the striker looks certain to move on in the summer window after the club came to a gentleman's agreement over his future.
He told the Peterborough Telegraph : “Ivan wanted to leave once he became aware of interest from higher-level clubs.
“He asked me if he could leave, he asked the chairman and he asked the manager. His agents were pushing as well.
“And fair play to the club owners as they turned down Ivan’s request because they did not want to short-change the fans as letting him go would have meant giving up on promotion.
“And fair play to Ivan as well because although he must have been disappointed he still turned up for training every day with a smile on his face and he gave everything he had for the club in training and in matches.
“His attitude before, during and after the transfer window never changed. He is a very professional young man and he thoroughly deserves a big move.
“We promised him we would let him go if we didn’t reach the Championship and we will stick to our word.
“Our stance might backfire on us a little with the fee we receive, but we remain confident it won’t.”
