Never any intention to sell Hooper – Wharton

SCUNTHORPE United chairman Steve Wharton remained tight-lipped when asked whether or not the club turned down offers for top scorer Gary Hooper during the January transfer window.

But Wharton did insist United were not tempted to sell anyway.

"It's fair to say a number of clubs were very interested in at least one of our players," he confessed.

"But there was never anything in writing."

Does that mean there was a verbal bid? "Draw your own conclusions," Wharton declared.

"We are in a financially strong position at the moment.

"We had no intention of parting with any of our players in mid-season."

Hooper, who has scored 40 goals in just over a season and a half at Glanford Park, still has 18 months of his contract to run.

But with a small fan-base and a spiralling budget to stay at Championship level, United's resolve to keep the player, who is just 22, might be tested again this summer.

"If Gary does get the opportunity to move to a big club at the end of the season, we have to be reasonable with him – as we were with Billy Sharp," confessed Wharton.

"We take great delight in helping players move on to bigger and better things."