Norwich City chief executive David McNally has insisted that striker Grant Holt is not for sale, despite the player publicly announcing his intention to leave the club.
Holt earlier announced on Twitter that he wanted to leave due to "disagreements" after previously having a transfer request turned down by the club.
However, despite Holt's desire to leave Carrow Road, McNally insisted that the Canaries couldn't afford to lose a player of his calibre.
"We are delighted he has loved it here, 70 goals in three seasons, every level of football he has scored at - 15 in the league last year, our captain, our talisman and the fans' hero," McNally told Sky Sports News.
"He has won player of the year three years in a row and that has never been done at this marvellous football club and he is not for sale.
"If ever, hypothetically, you were to sell someone with such a record, what is the replacement cost? It is certainly bigger than the total budget that I have seen quoted for the club Lambert is talking to - but Grant Holt is not for sale."
Holt was inducted into the Norwich City Hall of Fame earlier this year after less than three seasons at the club.
Barney Corkhill
