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Video: Tim Spiers on Benik Afobe's future

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Wolves have issued an official hands-off warning regarding star striker Benik Afobe or any of their 'first-team forward players'.

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Speculation linked Premier League new-boys Norwich City with Afobe, who is contracted to Wolves until 2018.

The rumours led Wolves to release a statement saying their

forwards would not be sold this season.

Kenny Jackett – who last week said any approach for Afobe would not be welcomed – is building a team around the former Arsenal man in the wake of Bakary Sako's departure.

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Afobe moved to Molineux just seven months ago for £2m and while every player has his price it would take a figure similar to Wolves' record transfer sale – £14m from Sunderland for Steven Fletcher – for them to consider selling, particularly at this stage of the season.

The club statement said: "In response to some media speculation this morning, Benik Afobe was bought from Arsenal in January 2015 and other players arrived in the summer, to strengthen the team for the strongest possible challenge on promotion this season."

"Therefore, neither Benik nor any of Wolves' first-team forward players will be sold this season. Benik has developed into a player of key importance to Wolves and the club's plans for this campaign.

Benik Afobe of Wolverhampton Wanderers

"Wolves have previously resisted the opportunity to sell other key first-team players in this and other recent transfer windows. As far as the club is concerned, there is no need for any further comments or speculation about this issue."

Notwithstanding Afobe's importance to the first team, Wolves are not blessed with strikers at the club.

They have just Nouha Dicko as an out-and-out first-team front man permanently on the books, with Adam le Fondre on loan from Cardiff. But Wolves are also in a strong enough financial position to be able to rebuff Norwich's advances.

Manager Alex Neil was at Molineux on Sunday to watch Afobe and Hull City striker Nikica Jelavic.