Rangers have made an opening offer to capture John Souttar in this window - but Robbie Neilson and Hearts have snubbed their first bid.
The champions will secure Souttar's services in six months' time when his pre-contract from Tynecastle goes through, agreed earlier this month.
But Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants to count on the centre-back for the rest of this season.
Souttar was left out of the Jambos' fourth round Scottish Cup demolition of Auchinleck Talbot which means he won't be cup-tied if he makes the switch in the next nine days.
Though it comes after his every touch was booed against St Johnstone on Tuesday night by home fans, Neilson insisted it was nothing to do with the current situation.
The Gorgie gaffer said: "We’ve had a bid in, which has been knocked out the ballpark, so we will wait and see if anything else comes in.
"We value John very, very highly and if anyone is going to take him in this window, they are going to need to pay for him because we are aiming for the Scottish Cup and European football and we need to keep our best players.
"John had a problem with his ankle after the game the other night.
"I know everybody thinks it is to do with what is happening, but it was on his Achilles and we felt there was no point in bringing him down here.
"He will be available for Wednesday - until things change."
The Edinburgh Evening News claim the offer that has been booted out is worth £300k.
But Hearts are said to be demanding at least £500k for their prized defender.
