Hibs manager Jack Ross insists he's "very hopeful" Kevin Nisbet will still be at Easter Road after the transfer window shuts.
The striker has been heavily linked with a move away, with the Hibees boss dismissing talk of a swap deal with Celtic that would have seen Leigh Griffiths heading the other way.
Last year's Premiership third-place finishers have opened talks over a new contract, and the manager is confident that his star man will be sticking around.
Ross said: "I need Kevin to be here beyond the transfer window.
"I'm always loathe to say anything definitive about any player because things can change very quickly in football but there's been no sign of him leaving so far and in terms of his importance to me for the direction the team's going, he's huge, so I'm very hopeful of keeping him.
"Because of speculation about his future last week, people believe we've just suddenly started speaking about a new contract but it's something we've been speaking about for a number of weeks.
"The great thing was that Kevin and his representatives were positive about those discussions and it's continued in that vein. It's not concluded as yet.
"From a football point of view I've always argued a very strong case (to the board) about how important he is for me on the pitch.
"The club have listened to that and have been very supportive. There's nothing definitive but everything to date has been heading in the right direction.
"I speak about how big an asset he is to me but I think we've also provided a very good platform for him that's helped produce his best football and culminated in him playing in a major tournament.
"I think all that's been in our favour."
