Plymouth Argyle admit there were inquiries for reported Nottingham Forest target Luke Jephcott in the January transfer window.
But the Pilgrims’ boss Ryan Lowe “stamped on” the speculation early on, determined to keep hold of the club’s 16-goal top scorer.
He confirmed there had been ‘a few inquiries’ about the 21-year-old striker but that they went no further than that.
Argyle were under no financial pressure to consider selling Jephcott and Lowe made it clear that clubs would be wasting their time in making offers.
Lowe and Jephcott were also in agreement that the Pilgrims’ academy graduate would not move on in January either.
Chris Hughton’s recruitment department have been “keeping an eye on” the talented Argyle forward, according to The Athletic, after he made the deadlines with 12 goals in 14 starts and three sub appearances in League One.
Still only 20, the attacking midfielder by trade has three Wales Under-21 caps to his name and is widely tipped to make the step up to the senior level in the not too distant future.
Speaking to Plymouth Live, manager Ryan Lowe said: “I think we stamped that [speculation] out early doors, didn’t we? That’s what you do. That happened to me years ago when I was trying to get a move and the manager shut me down. It’s learning from experience, isn’t it?
“Yeah, there was probably a few inquiries but I don’t think Luke wanted to know about it. I certainly didn’t.
“We were in agreement that he definitely wasn’t going anywhere in January. That was it as far as I was concerned.”
Forest, of course, switched their attention to veteran centre-forward Glenn Murray who they signed on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
