MARK Harper has warned Hayes & Yeading United they will have to get their cheque books out if they want to prise Dean Inman away from Hampton & Richmond Borough.
The highly-rated centre-back is one of three Beavers players H&Y have targeted, the other two being midfielder Nathan Collier and striker Dave Tarpey, who is also interesting Woking.
But while Collier, who has appeared in a trial match for H&Y, and Tarpey will soon be free agents, the club pinned Inman down on a long-term contract last year following interest from QPR.
And while Beavers boss Harper would not be drawn on what kind of fee he would expect if Inman left, he insisted he will not go on the cheap.
Harper said: “If they want Dean, they will have to pay for him. We don't want to lose him, but he is under contract and won't leave for nothing.
“We would have to take into account the length of time he has been here, the time and money we invested in him, the interest other clubs have shown, and the fact he has played 100 Blue Square South games at the age of 21.
“Dean was unfortunate with injuries and suspensions last season, and he needs to get a season under his belt without all that. It wouldn't do him any harm to take one step back in order to take two forward at this stage of his career.
“No disrespect to Hayes & Yeading, but he could play at a higher level, and that's why we got him under contract.”
Harper was left confident, however, of holding on to Tarpey, who he believes has already left the club – although not for H&Y – and Collier.
He added: “Tarps was always going to be difficult to keep hold of, while Nathan showed an interest in staying in Blue Square South.
“But I told everybody not to sign elsewhere until I have spoken to them, and I hope to get everyone signed up this week.”
