Thursday 23 April 2015 21:59, UK
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he is unaware if any other Premier League club has made a bid for Aaron Cresswell but thinks the defender should remain at Upton Park and establish himself in the top flight.
The 25-year-old has appeared in all 33 of West Ham’s league matches this season, since moving to the East End from Ipswich last summer.
He has been linked with big spending Manchester City and Chelsea but Allardyce believes he would be better off remaining in a West Ham shirt.
He said of his player: "Year one is an ongoing experience that you have that you know the level.
“Aaron now needs to grow from that experience. His challenge is to continue to work even harder than he has this year, not to rest on his laurels.
"We have seen players do that and then year two is more of a disaster than his impressive first year. His professionalism will come into play at the start of next year regarding where he gets and if he gets to the next level."
Cresswell has four years remaining on his contract and regarding the Liverpool-born player, Allardyce added: "As far as I am concerned, no one has bid for Aaron.
"It's all pure rumours and speculation. My problem is does it affect Aaron Cresswell and affect his performance?
"That's for me to make sure Aaron does what he can all season and he performs on a consistent basis.
“What will happen in the summer, we will wait and see. I have even heard somebody say we have put a £25m buy-out on him.
"That's the first I know, I haven't heard anything through the owners to say 'well, if somebody wants Aaron Cresswell they would have to pay £25m'."