Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter has admitted it will be difficult to keep Yves Bissouma at the Amex if clubs with Champions League football start to circle.
The comments will make for unwelcome reading for Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard, who recently confirmed his side had lodged a bid for the Mali international during the January transfer window just gone.
"We put in a bid that was turned away, and we respected that. If a move is not right then we will not become desperate and make decisions we do not think are right," Gerrard revealed.
The Villa manager did go on to imply the club may return in their pursuit for Bissouma in the summer given their desperation to bolster their midfield options even though they are unlikely to have Champions League football to offer.
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"Marvelous Nakamba will be fit again soon so we'll assess the situation as we go along. But I won't compromise in certain situations because our fans and the club deserve the right people in the right positions.
"Going into this window with Nakamba injured, it was a priority to try to solve the problem. But we won't try to find Plan B, C, D or E. We will keep pushing and try to get the right person."
Seagulls boss Potter was pressed on whether there is any update surrounding a potential contract extension for Bissouma amid speculation over his club future.
He replied: "It depends how you look at the situation, Yves is really enjoying his football with us and we've had lots of speculation over various windows and he's still here with us.
"But you also have to understand, the club and him face a point where you've got a decision to make - if there is Champions League interest as an example, as a club how do you compete with that?
"How do you compete financially? and how can you stop the player taking that opportunity up? It's very difficult."
Potter went on to suggest denying Bissouma a move to a Champions League club could place a strain on their relationship.
"It not only hampers the relationship you have with the player and it's a challenge for that but it also damages your whole structure, we are clearly not a Champions League structured team.
"It's quite complex, but we are quite relaxed about it there is no pressure, no stress, no problem, we are enjoying Yves being with us, enjoying his football and I would suggest our supporters are the same."
Come the end of the current campaign, Bissouma will have just one year left on his current Brighton deal.
