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BRIGHTON today warned Nottingham Forest they should not expect to land defender Joel Lynch on the cheap.
Reds boss Billy Davies wants to add the versatile full-back or centre half to his Championship squad for next season.
But Forest's valuation of the 21-year-old is far less than that of Brighton, who today insisted they are not prepared to let him leave the south coast without a fight.
Seagulls chairman Dick Knight believes Lynch can still be a valuable player for the League One club.
"Joel will only leave the club if we get the right offer for him," said Knight.
"He has two more years left on his contract and is a Brighton player.
"He is well under 24 and we have had him since he was ten years old so he comes into that Bosman category."
There is the possibility that Forest could attempt to sweeten the deal by allowing one of their young stars to join Brighton on loan.
Davies has already stated that as many as eight of his up-and-coming players could be allowed to go out to gain experience in the lower leagues.
Brighton are understood to be interested in taking either Matt Thornhill or Garath McCleary on a long-term loan next season.
Lynch started 21 games for Forest after joining in September.
He failed to net a goal for the Reds but played a key role in the club's Championship survival as he produced his best form in the critical final weeks, setting up several goals with his decisive delivery into the box.
Reds boss Billy Davies wants to add the versatile full-back or centre half to his Championship squad for next season.
But Forest's valuation of the 21-year-old is far less than that of Brighton, who today insisted they are not prepared to let him leave the south coast without a fight.
Seagulls chairman Dick Knight believes Lynch can still be a valuable player for the League One club.
"Joel will only leave the club if we get the right offer for him," said Knight.
"He has two more years left on his contract and is a Brighton player.
"He is well under 24 and we have had him since he was ten years old so he comes into that Bosman category."
There is the possibility that Forest could attempt to sweeten the deal by allowing one of their young stars to join Brighton on loan.
Davies has already stated that as many as eight of his up-and-coming players could be allowed to go out to gain experience in the lower leagues.
Brighton are understood to be interested in taking either Matt Thornhill or Garath McCleary on a long-term loan next season.
Lynch started 21 games for Forest after joining in September.
He failed to net a goal for the Reds but played a key role in the club's Championship survival as he produced his best form in the critical final weeks, setting up several goals with his decisive delivery into the box.
