Barnsley are determined to keep hold of star defender Alfie Mawson, despite the continued approaches of Lee Johnson's Bristol City.
The Reds are understood to have rejected another bid, this time of £1million, for the 22-year-old centre-back from former Oakwell head coach Johnson. Barnsley owner Patrick Cryne confirmed at a recent fans forum that Johnson had pursued Mawson all summer but added 'we are not interested in selling any of our players to Bristol City.'
Newly-relegated Newcastle United have also been linked with the defender, who was outstanding in the Reds' promotion run last season, while many of his team-mates are attracting attention from other clubs.
With just a week until the start of the Championship season, the newly-promoted Reds are extremely reluctant to let any first team players go. The millions of pounds they look likely to receive from John Stones' sale from Everton, due to a sell-on clause, will strengthen their financial position and make them even less willing to sell stars.
"There is interest in Alfie because he's a good player," Heckingbottom told the Chronicle.
"There's been interest in a few of our players and that shows where they have come from, from the start of last season to now. They have come on leaps and bounds and they just need to keep improving and establish themselves in the Championship.
"My thoughts on it are that we're not going to let anyone go unless it is an outrageous bid. That's coming from the very top of the club as well. Our players are good enough for the Championship.
"I have told the club that, if you're going to sell a player, wait until he's become an established Championship player because then he will be worth more money."
