Sampdoria owner Massimo Ferrero has sounded a note of defiance as Celtic continue to be linked to Omar Colley.
The Gambian defender is available at the right price but the Serie A side want big money for the powerful defender.
Italian publication Il Secolo XIX report Sampdoria are holding out for £9m as they attempt to extract full value for their stopper.
Comparing the Colley situation to Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis' handling of Kalidou Koulibaly's potential move to Manchester City, Ferrero is quoted by the Italian outlet as saying: “But why should I give him away?
“Do you know how much De Laurentiis is negotiating for the possible sale of Koulibaly?
"What are we talking about?”
Colley, who has been capped 13 times by Gambia, helped Sampdoria to a 15th-place finish in last season's Italian top flight.
Neil Lennon denied a bid had been lodged for the star when he was interrogated about the possibility of a deal being agreed.
Asked if he could confirm a bid last Saturday, Lennon said: "I can't, no.
"I can deny it, yeah. I'm not aware of that at all."
Lennon's men, meanwhile, return to action this weekend following the international break with a trip to face Ross County in Dingwall on Saturday afternoon.
Colley would be Neil Lennon's fifth major signing of the summer, following the arrivals of goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, attacker Albian Ajeti, midfielder David Turnbull and defender Shane Duffy.
