CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe says it is his personal preference not to sell striker Callum Wilson at any price.

Wilson has been linked with moves to Chelsea and West Ham but Howe has consistently stated the 26-year-old is part of his plans.

Asked if he would sell for the right price, Howe said: “It’s just my opinion but I wouldn’t sell at any price. But I’m the manager of the team, trying to create the best team I can.

“We desperately want to take the team forward and to do that, we have to keep our best players.

“He’s a very important member of the team. He has unique attributes which really complement what we do.

“He has been a really good goalscorer for us, which is the hardest thing to do in the sport. We value him very highly.

“I’ve been told about the speculation – it’s not something which I seek to read. It’s a waste of time for me to do so.

“It’s business as normal. Callum has been bright and bubbly this week so there are no problems there.”

Wilson, who netted on his England debut against the United States in November, has scored 10 goals in 23 appearances for Cherries this season.

Yesterday, the Daily Mail reported the ex-Coventry ace had become the “number one transfer target” of West Ham should they sell striker Marko Arnautovic.

The publication claims the Hammers “want to make an ambitious play for Wilson’s signature” as a replacement for the Austrian, who has been linked with a move to an unnamed Chinese Super League club.

The speculation came fewer than 24 hours after Sky Sports said Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri would be willing to pay "up to £50million" for Wilson if he could not sign Gonzalo Higuain.

Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola last month revealed the Blues’ interest in Wilson, who has scored 53 times in 138 appearances for the Dorset club.