Paddy McLaughlin admits it will be "difficult" holding on to Sean Moore but remains confident the teenage prospect will remain at Cliftonville beyond the January transfer window.
The exciting 17-year-old winger starred once again on Friday night as he scored in the Reds' 5-0 win over Dundela in the Irish Cup.
The teen's reputation is rising with every performance he puts in for McLaughlin's side, and clubs across the water have been taking note.
Read more: Irish Cup live score updates from Saturday's fifth-round ties
Speculation continues to mount that Moore could be snapped up this month, but McLaughlin is confident his young star will still be at Solitude beyond January 31.
"I am sure it is going to be difficult to keep any top player, and any top young player," McLaughlin told the BBC.
"Any club would find it difficult with a lot of interest in England in the Irish League over the past year or two. There is so much talent about and so many players getting the chance to go across, and they have all done really well.
"It will be difficult because there is a lot of interest in him, but he is here the the foreseeable future. And as long as he keeps playing and producing what he is doing for us, we will always be a stronger team.
"It is important for me as a manager, and Cliftonville as a club, to keep Sean Moore for as long as possible. He is a real talent in the league and we don't want to lose him."
Moore has excelled for McLaughlin's side since being promoted from Cliftonville's academy.
He has already made 15 Premiership appearances this season, and scored in last week's 2-1 win over Larne.
McLaughlin added: "I'd be very keen and very sure that it won't happen in this window. He's too key of a player at the minute for us to lose.
"If it happens further down the line, no better man. He deserves an opportunity for what he's done to the league this year and for what he's done to our team and our club over the last few months.
"If it comes his way, I'm sure he'll take it in his stride like he does everything else but for now Sean is focused on Cliftonville and we're focused on keeping him here.
"There's no chat of him leaving any time soon and hopefully that remains the case for this window."
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