Norwich City are showing no signs of admitting defeat in their pursuit of Wolves forward Benik Afobe, but the Canaries have seen a third bid of £10million rejected by the Championship club.
Norwich boss Alex Neil has made former Arsenal youth player Afobe his key transfer target as he looks to add power to his frontline in order to guarantee Premier League survival, but Wolves appear to be holding firm.
Jackett unamused by Norwich interest
Kenny Jackett's side has already released a statement assuring potential suitors that Afobe is not for sale, but Jackett has once again asserted his stance regarding his star man.
Speaking to the Express and Star in the aftermath of his side's 2-1 League Cup victory over Barnet on Tuesday night, Jackett stated that "he is a Wolves player" and that "he'll still be a Wolves player" when the transfer window slams shut.
He admitted that there was "an enormous amount of speculation" but was keen to reiterate that "he won't be leaving" in the near future.
Championship clubs target top-flight riches
Despite the size of the sum being offered for a player picked up for £2million in January, Wolves like many other Championship sides are setting their sights on automatic promotion and nothing else this season.
With the riches of the Premier League's new TV deal on offer from the beginning of the 2016/17 season, second-tier clubs realise that the need for promotion is greater than ever and are going all-out to ensure they have the best chance possible.
A stunning season from Afobe
22-year-old Afobe was one of the most prolific forwards in the country last season. Starting the year on loan in League One with MK Dons, he scored 19 goals in 30 appearances and bagged a brace in the Dons' famous thrashing of Manchester United in the early days of Louis Van Gaal's reign as boss.
He moved to Wolves in the January transfer window and continued where he left off, finding the net 13 times in 21 appearances. With three goals already this season, his eye for goal is showing no signs of being drawn by speculation regarding his future.
Norwich may need to wait or look elsewhere
Should Norwich return with a further bid, they are likely to meet the same blunt response from the Wolves hierarchy as they are aware of the importance of Afobe's partnership with Nouha Dicko up front to the team's chances of success this season and beyond.
If Wolves fail to live up to their pre-season expectations, however, their chances of holding on to their star man could be considerably slimmer.