If Sabri Lamouchi gets his way, then Matty Cash will not be leaving Nottingham Forest to follow in the footsteps of Paolo Maldini and Cafu at AC Milan.
The Reds boss has delivered a blunt response to unwelcome transfer rumours.
Which is precisely what the City Ground faithful wanted to hear.
Talk of a switch to San Siro (from Sky Sports) always sounded a little far-fetched – even when taking into account Milan’s struggles over recent years.
There is a big leap to be taken between the English second tier and the Italian top flight.
A step up to the Premier League is a little more feasible.
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Cash has starred in a right-back role this season and seen plaudits rain down on him.
Aware of his stock rising, Forest moved quickly to tie him to a new contract.
Said terms will help to keep the 22-year-old’s asking price heading upwards.
Which in turn should fend off any admiring glances being shot in his direction.
Role
Quizzed on the speculation surrounding Cash, Lamouchi said in the Nottingham Post: “It is ‘no way’. No way, no way, no way.
“Don’t talk about players going out. We want to talk about players who can come in.”
So, just to be clear, it’s “no way” then, Sabri?
Glad to hear it!
Lamouchi went on to talk up the role Cash has played for the Reds this season since being nudged back from the wing and into a solid defensive unit.
He added: “From the beginning he has been an important player.
“At the beginning it was a surprise, the first game, here against West Brom – the first goal from him.
“He is improving, but he still needs to learn and to work in this position. In this position he has a good future.”
That is an important point to note – Cash is not the finished article.
Gamble
So whether that be AC Milan, Southampton, West Ham or anybody else, a gamble would be taken by all sides in doing a deal.
Staying put would be the sensible option, for player and current employers.
Forest are knocking on a top tier door themselves.
If Cash wants to scale such heights, which should go without saying, then he can fulfil those ambitions in his present surroundings.
There is also no need for Mr Marinakis and Co to take the money.
Cash is worth more to the collective cause as part of Lamouchi’s starting XI than funds in the bank.
He is also not the kind of character to rock the boat.
There is an acknowledgement of what Forest have done for him, and continue to do, and that is why fresh terms were agreed.
The fact that Lamouchi wants him to stay should be the end of the matter.
Take the speculation with a pinch of salt, add it to the pot and get back to concocting a promotion feast.