Fulham boss Chris Coleman insists there have been no serious offers for Luis Boa Morte – but is ready to sell his club captain at the right price.
Boa Morte, 29, has been linked with a move to Tottenham who are searching for a left-sided midfielder, but Coleman has yet to be approached by Martin Jol’s side for the Portuguese star.
He is ready to do business if Tottenham table a substantial bid but claims the fee would have to be far higher than the £5m figure he has seen quoted.
“The message to Spurs or anybody else interested in our captain is if they’re seriously interested they have to make a serious offer,” he said.
“A serious offer for Luis Boa Morte isn’t £5million. We haven’t had an offer that’s anywhere near what his price is.
“If they are interested in him they’ll have to pay. Bear in mind Gary McSheffrey went from Coventry to Birmingham for £4m.
“He’s a good player in the Championship but has no Premiership experience.
“Compare him with Boa Morte – a lad who has played over 250 games in the Premiership over the last five years and a Portuguese international.
“The price would have to be big to lose a player of Boa’s class.
“If someone offered a staggering amount of money for Boa then I’d have to ask the chairman how much can I have back to invest in other players.
“From a football side I wouldn’t want to sell him at any price. But I have to tell the chairman what has been offered.
“We could maybe invest in two or three new players with the money. But it would have to be a lot of money to sell Boa.”
Boa Morte signed a new contract last summer which keeps him at Fulham until 2008, putting the club in a strong position in negotiations.
The same can not be said for Steed Malbranque, however, who may leave in a cut-price deal as Coleman seeks to raise the cash he needs for new signings.
West Ham have reportedly made a renewed attempt to land Malbranque with a £2.5m approach, but Coleman insists there are no new developments over the unsettled French playmaker.
“We have to sell someone before we can buy. There are a couple of loan deals we’re looking at but time isn’t on our side. There’s no update on Steed’s situation,” he said.
