EDDIE Howe insisted “no amount of money could buy Callum Wilson", after the Cherries striker had been linked with a £20million move to West Brom.

Wilson’s future has been a regular source of speculation since he returned from a serious knee injury at the end of last season.

West Ham, Newcastle United and Everton have all been touted as potential suitors for the 24-year-old, who has scored six Premier League goals this term.

But Howe, who did not rule out the prospect of Max Gradel leaving Vitality Stadium before tonight’s 11pm deadline, claims Cherries do not need to cash in on one of their prized assets.

“From the board’s perspective, I don’t think they’re under any pressure to sell,” said Howe.

“From our perspective, financially, and from my perspective, there’s no amount of money that could buy Callum Wilson.

“The problem is always potentially with the player if he wants to move and I’ve had no conversation with Callum about leaving this football club in this window. He’s happy.”

Howe acknowledged that attempting to bring players into the club during this January transfer window had proved a tricky business.

The Cherries boss also admitted it was a relief when the deadline ticked by without any of his key men having made for pastures new.

“This window has been the most difficult one I’ve been involved in,” said Howe.

“The pool of players is so small and the prices and the wages are so high.

“We have been active, we’ve been looking. But it’s a difficult one to predict, anything could happen from this point.

“Signing players is very easy but you have to sign the right ones. Any player you bring in has to benefit the team and the squad.

“For us, not losing players, before you talk about incomings, is the most important thing. We can’t afford to lose our best players, through anything other than choice.”

Howe would not be drawn on Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s revelation that Cherries had lodged a bid for the London club’s goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic.

The manager did, however, quash the idea that current number one Artur Boruc could be unsettled by rumours that Cherries were targeting a new goalkeeper.

“There’s no problem there,” said Howe. “Artur has played very well. I’m happy with him, there are no problems with him.”

Howe revealed “one or two” of the club’s younger player might depart on loan.

Despite the stress – and in some cases panic – inflicted on football clubs by the January window, Howe isn’t convinced a year-round open market would offer a solution to the annual frenzy.

“The reality is, once the window shuts, you know what you have and you can really concentrate on your work,” he said.

“It’s a great thing that you don’t have that constant speculation. This month is stressful enough without that carrying on throughout the year.

“But the January window is definitely the most difficult window to recruit in.

“I’m not sure what the answer is long term.”