Boss Mick McCarthy has issued a hands-off warning to clubs who might be interested in signing the Blues’ prize assets this summer. David McGoldrick, who has told McCarthy he wants to stay to prove a point following his injury problems, and Tyrone Mings were the subject of Premier League offers last season, while 27-goal Championship top scorer Daryl Murphy and Teddy Bishop have also been linked with top flight clubs.
"I had a discussion with [owner] Marcus [Evans] yesterday about the players that might be targets,” McCarthy told the club site.
"You are looking at Murph, with 27 goals this season. Didz is another. I had a word with him and he’s not looking to move. He wants to come back and get himself fit and show everyone what a good player he is again.
"He has been so disappointed with the injuries he has had over the last two seasons and feels he has a point to prove.
"I’ve spoken to Bish and Ty as well. I’ve pointed out to them that Cressy played 140 or so games here and another 100 or so at Tranmere before he moved to West Ham.
"He was ready to make that move. He had done his time and he has gone there and won every player of the year award going. He would not have done that if he had played 40 games here.
"So I’ve said to Bish and Ty, ‘You are staying here’. I want to progress. I don’t want to sell however much money is offered. I don’t want to lose our best players. I want young, fit and vibrant players to take us forward.”
McGoldrick, the subject of a £7 million Leicester City offer last August, is contracted until the summer of 2016, the Blues having activated an option for a further season earlier in the campaign, while Murphy - linked with Hull City in January - signed a new deal last July, which is also up in a year's time.
Mings, for whom Crystal Palace bid £3.5 million in August, put pen to paper on a contract until the end of June 2017 last September, while Bishop, like the Blues left-back tracked by Premier League sides all year, recently extended his contract until the summer of 2018 with Town having an option for a further season.
Elsewhere, Leeds United are reported to have joined Birmingham City in showing interest in former Blue Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who was recently released by newly promoted Bristol City.