Saints boss Stephen Robinson believes Celtic target Dylan Reid is already in the perfect place to develop as a player.
The Scotland under-17 international has been drawing admiring glances from clubs since breaking into the St Mirren first team, with Benfica long-term admirers along with the Hoops and latterly Rangers.
Ange Postecoglou's side have had an initial six-figure bid accepted, with Reid understood to have spoke with the Glasgow giants on Monday.
Robinson hasn't given up hope of keeping Reid in Paisley, insisting the club have a history of helping prospects fulfil their potential with more game time.
He told Sky Sports Scotland: "Obviously we're a club that has to develop players and has to sell players.
"We believe Dylan is a highly-rated young talent that we can develop here.
"We have an academy system that produces players, there's no fewer than six young players training with us currently.
"Kieran Offord may start the game on Saturday (against Cowdenbeath), he's been brilliant and there are other young kids in and around that.
"For me it's a very good club for young players to develop. Dylan, his advisors and his family have decisions to make.
"He doesn't need to look too much further than here to develop."
While confirming Reid now has a decision to make about where he plies his trade next season, the Buddies boss warned fans not to believe everything they've heard about his transfer pursuit.
Robinson added: "There's been a lot of talk as there always is. You can't control that.
"He's a talented boy, as are a lot of our young players. They get recognition and attention and some of it's true, some of it isn't."
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