Keith Curle today insisted Carlisle United would not be "pressured" into selling star striker Charlie Wyke.
The manager's claim came after Bradford made a bid for the Blues' 17-goal top scorer.
The Bantams' offer is understood to meet a £250,000 release clause in Wyke's contract.
But Curle today claimed the offer was short of Carlisle's valuation, and suggested Wyke would be in the United team to face Barnet tomorrow.
The Blues, who released a statement regarding the "speculation" earlier today, have steadfastly refused to comment on the clause that is believed to exist in Wyke's deal.
Nor would Curle be drawn on the exact reasons why Wyke has not automatically been given permission to speak to the League One club.
But the United boss did claim there was interest from other clubs in the 24-year-old and stressed the Blues would prefer to hold onto Wyke.
Curle said: "He has trained today and is available for selection.
"I've spoken to a couple of representatives, a couple of managers, and some of the scouts who are coming to the game.
"It's creating interest. Don't be surprised if this interest continues right until the end of the season and into the next window as well.
"We're saying just because somebody has made a bid doesn't mean we need to sell. That's the message coming from inside the club.
"We're not going to be pressurised into losing our assets. As far as I'm concerned, I want Charlie to stay. I don't see the benefits of me losing a top striker that could potentially score the goals to get us where we want to be."
At his midday press conference Curle did confirm that Bradford had tabled an offer to United but added: "In our opinion as a football club it hasn't reached the value that we see Charlie has to this football club."
The United boss added: "I don't think it's only Bradford that are interested. I know personally there are other clubs who have shown an interest. He's a goalscorer. Charlie will score goals at whatever level he plays.
"We've got 18-19 games left - if he scores another 11-12, you're talking a 30-goal striker playing in a successful team. So there's going to be interest. The relationship I've got with Charlie is he's focused and enjoying his football. That won't change.
"The conversations now will be between Charlie's agent and the club. It goes onto [chief executive] Nigel Clibbens' desk regarding offers and potential suitors for Charlie.
"As far as I'm concerned, and Charlie is, he's under contract, wants to play and wants to continue his progression. The lad's attitude is exemplary."
Curle said at no stage had Wyke asked to leave United, and said he would be "very, very disappointed" if the striker did request a move.
Asked directly by the if the club were currently able to refuse Wyke permission to speak to Bradford, given the apparent value of the offer, Curle said that was a matter for Clibbens to answer.
But the chief executive said earlier in the official statement that the club would "never confirm or deny confidential contractual terms or clauses".
No party involved has, though, yet denied that such a clause exists in Wyke's deal.
Clibbens insisted United are "doing everything we can" in an attempt to keep Wyke at Brunton Park ahead of Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline.
Clibbens added: "Charlie knows that we want him to stay, but equally is it difficult to retain a player who is set on leaving. We’ve all seen in the past that players can become unsettled."
But Curle appeared to play down the prospect of an improved contract offer to the striker being part of efforts to convince him to remain with the Blues.
The manager said: "Charlie's on a very good contract. He's got 18 months left, very well-paid with very good incentives. Do we need to throw money at an asset?
"We're comfortable with where we're at with the offers we made Charlie and contract he's on.
"Things do change, that's the environment we're working in. But we don't make a knee-jerk reaction."
Curle, meanwhile, said he was satisfied Wyke was in the right frame of mind to continue in the Carlisle team.
"That goes onto the man-management side of my job," Curle said.
"All Charlie wants to do is focus on his game as an individual. I've said to him, enjoy the speculation, enjoy the attention. You're a goalscorer. When things are going well, they get everything.
"I played some fantastic games, won some headers, clearances, tackles - nothing. A centre-forward does nothing for 89 minutes, then gets a toe-poke and scores, and they get the Ferrari, supermodel, absolutely everything.
"Charlie - enjoy it. You've got a great opportunity to enhance your potential. He's a brave lad as well, on and off the pitch, and mentally I have no doubt about his capacity to handle the attention."
Asked if he had considered not playing Wyke in order to protect an asset that may be on the brink of being sold, Curle replied: "No. That would be disrespectful to Charlie. Don't be afraid of the interest and the speculation. Embrace it. Charlie plays."
Curle, meanwhile, said he had identified several transfer targets and had come close to making two signings this week.
"I met a player on Thursday but unfortunately we haven't been able to tie up the finances for tomorrow," he said.
"I had agreement with the finances with another, but the manager in question said he wanted the player to be available this Saturday for him, then to pick it up again on Monday.
"I want to bring in quality."
Curle said he would not be surprised if transfer business at United went right down to the wire on Tuesday night.
Asked if he had a number one target that he would be confident of signing in the event of Wyke leaving, Curle said: "As confident as confident can be.
"I was confident I'd have two players sat in the changing room today. Other clubs have to make decisions regarding their players and that is completely out of my hands.
"If and when needed I've got targets in mind for various reasons and positions. It is an ongoing situation. It might not be household names we're bringing in but skill sets I think we can adapt and use."