Southend United today claimed they had rejected a £1.5million offer from Norwich City for striker Freddy Eastwood. “Norwich have made a bid for Freddy but I have told them that they are not offering enough,” club chairman Ron Martin told the Southend Echo.

Southend United today claimed they had rejected a £1.5million offer from Norwich City for striker Freddy Eastwood.

“Norwich have made a bid for Freddy but I have told them that they are not offering enough,” club chairman Ron Martin told the Southend Echo.

Martin is reported to have turned down a £1million offer for the forward from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“Freddy is being dramatically undervalued and is worth a lot more to this football club than £1.5million. That is what I've told Norwich and I still don't want him to leave.”

Martin denied he had a price in mind for 23-year-old Eastwood, who revealed his wish to leave Roots Hall earlier this week.

City boss Peter Grant has admitted he is an admirer of Eastwood, but said last week he had made only a preliminary inquiry about the player.

“We are always looking at quality players and we know he has quality,” said Grant. “But there is a value certain clubs will put on a player and there is a premium for goalscorers.

“We are looking to get a few players in and we can't put all our eggs in one basket. We can't afford to do that.”

Grant held talks, meanwhile, with Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp on Wednesday after making a £2m offer for the 21-year-old.