Andy Thorn has rubbished claims that striker Lukas Jutkiewicz will be leaving Coventry City and has said he will not be selling the player to raise cash.
Yesterday several reports suggested that Southampton, Millwall and Bristol City had all shown an interest in signing the 22 year old striker who has two years left on his Coventry City contract, but the club have stated that they have had no enquiries from anyone about Jutkiewicz.
Coventry have already lost one striker when Marlon King reneged on his promise to sign a new deal with the club and signed for Birmingham City instead.
Thorn said to the CT: “He is not someone I am looking to sell, that’s for sure. After what’s gone on this summer he is going to be my No.9 next year. We are expecting a big season for him next year and we think there is no end to what he can go on to."
"He’s got a few more years left on his contract and he’s a big, young talent who I am pleased we have got.”
It is well known that Coventry City are in a financial mess and desperately need funds. Jutkiewicz cost Coventry about £500,000 subject to appearances, but he now worth considerably more than what City paid, possibly between £2.5 and £3m in the current market.
Thorn is of the opinion that the three clubs quited as being interested in the player would not be able to afford him even if he were for sale.
“He’s certainly worth a lot of money, that’s for sure,” said Thorn. “So they wouldn’t have enough money to buy him. He is someone I rate really highly."
"I brought him to the club and I want him to be part of what we are doing here. I certainly don’t want him going out. I know it is the industry we are in but I am not looking to sell, but if people are interested in our players then we must be doing something right.”
The decision on whether to keep or sell a player of Jutkiewicz's worth will not be down to Thorn though. The board will decide if they want to realise the cash from such a valuable asset and with the club losing a reported £0.5m a month, they may well decide, as a last resort, to sell if an acceptable offer is forthcoming.
Other players that might attract unwelcome attention are Ben Turner, who signed a new three year deal earlier this year and Academy starlet Connor Thomas, whose £1m move to Liverpool fell through.
Jutkiewicz himself was unaware of the speculation surrounding rumoured moves and he tweeted from his holiday. “Woke up to a barrage of messages on holiday! Haven’t heard anything, thanks for all the kind messages, really appreciated.”