Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has warned his club cannot afford to lose youngster Ryan Christie but acknowledged any deal to sell the midfielder could hinge on him returning to the Highlands on loan.
The 20-year-old has long been touted for a move south with Premier League Swansea City and Championship rivals Fulham and Burnley the latest clubs credited with an interest.
Christie enjoyed a successful first full campaign in the first team last year, making 30 starts in 42 appearances to help Caley Jags finish third in the Premiership and win the Scottish Cup.
His performances earned Christie the Scottish Football Writers’ young player of the year award, while he also earned his first caps for Scotland’s under-21 side.
Christie has one year left on his contract, although his hometown club has the option to extend that by a further 12 months.
Hughes claimed the option of a loan return to Inverness could be a solution should a lucrative offer come in for the midfielder.
Hughes said: “It was Liverpool last week, Swansea this week and I’ve no doubt it will be someone else next week.
“It’s no surprise to me – Ryan is a really talented footballer and I’m honest enough to say we need him in the team this year.
“We cannot afford to lose him, but we would never stand in Ryan’s way if he could go to play in the Premier League.
“I’m quite sure if the money was good then we would want to sell him. But I think the key part would be he would have to stay here for another year here on loan.”
Hughes has no doubt Christie is capable of playing in the English top-flight and added: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on one so young, but he’s a real talent.
“His technical ability is fantastic and he’s getting better and stronger. We’ll see how the season goes, but it’s no surprise to me.
“My assistant Brian Rice has been down at Watford and Burnley, and he said Ryan would step on to any Premier League training ground and not look out of place.”