Reading boss Brian McDermott believes Shane Long is good enough to play for any top-flight club but insists that the deal has to be right.
A number of high-profile clubs, including Celtic and Newcastle United, have expressed an interest in the Republic of Ireland international, but were frightened off by the Championship side's price tag of STG8million.
Roy Hodgson's West Brom were also keen on the Tipperary native, but now it appears they are also unwilling to meet Reading's valuation and may try to land Long's international team-mate Robbie Keane in a cut-price deal instead.
"I said to Shane back in January, if we don't go up I'll do the best I can to make sure, if a Premiership club comes in, and the deal is right, I will have to do right by you," McDermott said.
"Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want it to happen.
"As far as I am concerned Shane is the best striker in the Championship - he could play for anyone in the Premier League.
"Shane is not desperate to walk away, he loves Reading. His mum comes to all the games, he's well looked after, he thinks the world of this team.
"I made a promise to Shane last season when I asked him to give us one more season.
"I said let's see if we can get ourselves into the Premier League and then we'll see what happens this season.
"He's got a year to go on his contract and I have said to him that if the right move comes along I can't stand in his way."