Coventry City boss Mark Robins has suggested it will take a ‘monumental bid’ for anyone to sign in-demand defender Sam McCallum.

The 19-year-old has caught the attention of a number of sides this season, with Aston Villa, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield Town all reportedly interested.

McCallum joined the Sky Blues from non-league side Herne Bay last summer and made eight appearances in his first season at the club.

The injury to Brandon Mason this season means he has already featured seven times in the 2019/20 campaign and has provided him the chance to turn the heads of some big clubs.

Competition appears to be high for the teenager’s signature and, speaking to Coventry Live, Robins has suggested that it is going to take a huge bid to prize him away from the Sky Blues.

Asked if he was surprised about the attention the defender had received, he said: “No. He’s a really good player.

“But if anyone wants to take him it’s going to cost a hell of a lot of money.

"There’s no interest or appetite to sell and I wouldn’t think it would be beneficial for him to go anywhere at this stage.

“He’s not at the stage where he’s going to be a regular every week but the possibility is that he will be.

“You know what I think of him and what we think about him here, and for us to let him go it would take a monumental bid from anyone.

“And I think if anyone is going to take him it’s going to have to be a top Premier League team.”

McCallum has helped Coventry climb to second in League One.

The Verdict

These comments will likely come as a bit of a blow to the sides queuing up for the defender’s signature as it appears getting their man is not going to be cheap.

Robins has suggested he believes it will have to be a Premier League side, which at this point makes Villa the best set, though the likes of Leeds, Forest and West Brom will all be hoping to have that tag by the summer.

It is a mightly impressive rise from McCallum to go from non-league to demanding a ‘monumental’ fee in just over a year–it is going to really interesting to watch him continue to develop.