Thursday 10 August 2017 09:45, UK
Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk is insisting that Ben Gibson is not for sale.
Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday that West Brom are lining up a third and improved bid for the Boro captain.
The Baggies have so far failed with two bids for the centre-back, with the second offer totalling up to £20m. Southampton have also been linked with the 24-year-old.
"You want to keep your most important players and the chairman (Steve Gibson) is very strong on that," Monk said.
"We don't have to sell anyone. It's a stable club financially and it's a great place to go and work.
"We're looking to get the squad together, work hard and wait for that window to close."
Gibson is the nephew of Boro chairman Steve and Monk, who was appointed manager in June, says the player is committed to the Sky Bet Championship club.
Asked if he was expecting more bids for Gibson, Monk replied: "Not particularly, no. But I'm not concerned, I'm not focused on that.
"You can never say never, but in terms of Ben's commitment to the club and the owner's idea of what's needed to be done it aligns with what I'm thinking so it's fine.
"I can't believe it [the transfer window] goes into the season. It's ridiculous and should have been shut last week, but we'll stay focused on the season ahead."
West Brom's assistant manager Gary Megson told Sky Sports News on Tuesday that the club could complete deals for five transfer targets ahead of Saturday's Premier League opener at home to Bournemouth.
Gibson, who was called into the England squad for the first time last season, was ever-present for Middlesbrough last season in what was their first campaign in the top flight since 2009.
Boro are fancied to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt after spending over £40m on new players this summer.
Striker Britt Assombalonga came in from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £15m, while Danish forward Martin Braithwaite, Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson and the West Ham pair of Ashley Fletcher and Darren Randolph also joined.
"We've done the bulk of what we wanted to do," Monk said. "We've been very good as a club in terms of incomings and maximising our outgoings.
"We still have a couple of bits planned - comings and goings - but in terms of balancing what we've spent and what we've brought in we've done very well."
