KARL Robinson says it will take an offer in excess of £4million for Oxford United to consider selling Gavin Whyte this summer.

Rumours about Sky Bet Championship club Nottingham Forest weighing up a bid of half that amount have so far not materialised.

But even if a formal approach is tabled, the U’s are determined to hang on to the Northern Ireland international.

And Robinson insists the only way that would change is if they receive an offer well above the club record – £3m from Leeds United for Kemar Roofe in 2016.

The head coach said: “It’s going to cost over £4million for Gavin Whyte. That’s what it is.

“We’ve had nothing, so I’m not talking about any other club.

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“I don’t want any other club to think I’m being disrespectful. But we have a value.”

It shows the extent to which the 23-year-old’s value has rocketed since joining the U’s last summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £100,000 from Crusaders, who reportedly have a sell-on clause.

Whyte bagged nine goals for United, plus one on his senior international debut, as he adjusted quickly in his first season of professional football.

Robinson has a track record of selling players for big fees during his time in charge at Charlton Athletic and Milton Keynes Dons, so is used to holding firm.

He said: “I sold Ademola Lookman (to Everton) for more than £9m, Ezri Konsa as a centre back was over £3m (to Brentford), Del (Dele Alli, Tottenham) was over £5m.

“We’ve got to be confident in the fact that our players are not for sale, unless you want to pay what we think these players are going to be worth.

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“If we want to build a team we have to keep our best players and if we don’t (then it has to be because) it gives us tremendous flexibility to go and bring in a lot more players.

“We appreciate we’re Oxford United and if a big club in the Championship comes in then they’re a big club for a reason – because they can afford to pay.”

Whyte’s season will finally end tonight, with Northern Ireland’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Belarus.

And the good news from Robinson’s perspective is the winger, who played 90 minutes for his country for the first time against Estonia on Saturday, is not agitating for a move.

“I’ve spoken to Gavin and he’s happy,” the U’s boss said.

“He knows exactly where the land lies.

“He knows how much support we’re going to give him and how much we’ll help each other.

“I think we’ve stuck by him, given him a chance and helped him through certain stages, but equally he’s paid us back more than enough in his performances.”