Friday 24 October 2014 22:51, UK
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Sami Hyypia is expecting interest to be shown in Lewis Dunk during the January transfer window.
The defender is reported to be drawing admiring glances from the Premier League after impressing in a difficult opening to the 2014/15 campaign for Brighton.
He has already netted five goals this season and remains a consistent performer at the heart of Hyypia’s back four.
Dunk is also just 22 years of age, so to have made close to 100 senior appearances is testament to his talent.
Brighton are understandably reluctant to consider selling a home-grown product of their academy system, but are also aware that their resistance may be tested in the New Year.
Hyypia told The Argus: "I'm very happy that he is playing well and he has been a very important player for us.
"I would be surprised if the interest wasn't there but I hope he stays here and keeps playing like he's playing.
"It's very important you keep your best players.
“I know it's not always easy to do that and the players sometimes have different ideas or goals they want to achieve but we are trying to do everything we can to keep the best players here."
