Plymouth Argyle manager Ryan Lowe has described the latest speculation over forward Luke Jephcott as a ‘load of bull’.
The 21-year-old has hit 18 goals in 29 appearances this season, putting him on the radar of a number of clubs, with Nottingham Forest having been linked with a bid last month.
Forest are said to have been making regular checks on the Wales Under-21 international, who was playing non-league football on loan at Truro City as recently as last season.
The latest reports claim Derby County, Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday are among eight clubs to show an interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
But Lowe has moved to pour cold water on the rumours, which included suggestions that Stoke had sent a scout to watch Jephcott in action despite the current coronavirus restrictions.
“It’s a load of bull, whoever it is coming from,” Lowe told PlymouthLive. “I’m not saying there isn’t interest in Luke Jephcott but I think the clever clubs and people who do it properly go about their business right.
“I know probably two or three clubs who would be definitely interested in him, but they don’t have to go and say ‘We are watching this, we are watching that’.
“He is probably one of the hottest young prospects in the country at the moment so there is definitely going to be interest, but there has not been any interest from any of those clubs to us.
“The way I look at it is the kid is just playing his football. I will be speaking to Luke today, telling him to just let it go over his head.
“Fortunately enough, I have been in the position he is in now so I can help him and guide him, of the rumours that come with it.”
Lowe previously had admitted there were ‘a few inquiries’ about Jepchott in January but that they went no further than that.
