Sunderland manager David Moyes has issued a hands off message to West Ham United over striker Jermain Defoe, suggesting the player is 'priceless' and won't be moving.
The Premier League veteran has been linked with rejoining his former club, whom he left for Tottenham Hotspurin 2004, with reports suggesting that coach Slaven Bilic's side are readying a £6m bid for the 34-year-old.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Moyes has reacted by suggesting there is no price that could lure Defoe away from the Stadium of Light, insisting that it won't even be considered during the January transfer window.
"I wouldn't even think about it," said Moyes.
"Martin Bain (chief executive) wouldn't even come and tell me that we'd had an offer.
"It wouldn't be considered. I don't think there's any price because we know that Jermain's goals are so valuable to us. He's priceless.
Most Premier League goals in 2016:
Sergio Agüero (27)
Harry Kane (21)
Diego Costa (20)
Alexis Sánchez (19)
Jermain Defoe (19) pic.twitter.com/qXW9HFia8l
And speaking of his star striker, who has scored 19 goals for the Black Cats in 2016, helping them avoid relegation last year, has praised the former England international for his fitness and attitude towards both training and matches, which is paying off.
"He needs managing, yes, because he's a senior professional and needs treating right, which we do," continued Moyes.
"He wants to train every day, he trains like he's much younger and he's in very good condition.
"I'm not saying we're getting the best out of him because he's had a great career and scored a lot of goals, but nobody can say they can see a demise in him. You can only see someone who will keep going.
"His stats for 2016 show he's been brilliant and only Harry Kane as an Englishman has scored more."