Exeter tell Lambert to up his bid

Paddy Davitt Paul Lambert was last night warned to up his initial bid for Exeter defender Dan Seaborne after the Grecians rejected City's 'derisory' offer.The Canaries chief is now expected to test Exeter's resolve with a fresh approach to capture his long time target following reports Norwich also launched a failed move in the recent transfer window.

Paddy Davitt

Paul Lambert was last night warned to up his initial bid for Exeter defender Dan Seaborne after the Grecians rejected City's 'derisory' offer.

The Canaries chief is now expected to test Exeter's resolve with a fresh approach to capture his long time target following reports Norwich also launched a failed move in the recent transfer window.

Grecians officials confirmed City had followed up their interest by lodging a firm bid that fell way below Exeter's valuation of the 22-year-old.

Seaborne is out-of-contract next summer but Exeter's director of football Steve Perryman insists the newly-promoted West Country outfit will not be held to ransom.

Lambert is keen to bolster his depleted defensive ranks by agreeing an initial loan deal ahead of a permanent New Year switch - as revealed in yesterday's EDP.

“We know at some point that Dan Seaborne is good enough to go higher in the game,” said Perryman. “We don't wish to stand in his way but the time is not now and especially not for such a derisory amount.”

Versatile Seaborne was linked with Scunthorpe and Peterborough during the close season after captaining his boyhood club to promotion.

He also played a key part in manager Paul Tisdale's 2008 Conference play-off success, but is reportedly keen to further his career elsewhere after pledging his short term future to the club in the summer.

Dean Moxey's �350,000 close season switch to Derby allowed Tisdale to keep hold of his prized asset but the Exeter chief hinted at the time the Grecians must sell to survive.

“Since I've been at the club I have not spent a penny in transfer fees, yet we have taken a million or so,” he said. “So that is a pretty good ratio and if most clubs could achieve that then they would be doing very well.

“I would think it is unlikely that I start paying transfer fees because we want young hungry players with a point to prove and they aren't always the players that you have got to pay money for.

“My message to all the young players stepping up to League One is 'produce the same level of performance and your value will go even higher.' I am asking those players to prove themselves at a higher level and if they do that then their options will be even greater.”

Lambert has prioritised defensive reinforcements to help maintain City's League One promotion push after Michael Spillane joined injured pair Michael Nelson and Jon Ostemobor on the sidelines.