Jamaal Lascelles: Nottingham Forest reject QPR offer

Jamaal Lascelles played 34 games for Forest last season, scoring three goals

Nottingham Forest have turned down a bid from QPR for defender Jamaal Lascelles, with manager Stuart Pearce saying the club will not sell their best players.

The 20-year-old was a key player last season and has also attracted interest from Everton. before QPR's recent bid.

Pearce told BBC Radio Nottingham: "QPR have put money on the table but nowhere near a valuation the boy is worth.

"There's no pressure to sell. I'm here to build a squad, not dismantle one."

England Under-18, U19 and U20 international Lascelles has played 47 games for the Reds, with 34 of those appearances coming last season.

He only signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract in March.

Pearce, who officially took over as manager at the start of July, added: "The only way I would let anyone go is if I felt I could reinvest the money to make us stronger the day after, but apart from that the best players stay here."

Meanwhile Pearce said that Algeria international striker Rafik Djebbour "will be leaving".

The 30-year-old joined in January but only made eight appearances.

Pearce has also said he expects further transfer activity this summer, but will not rush into deals.

"It is a case of having a look at everyone," he added.

"We will look at the squad and if there are individuals who I feel will not be representing the football club because there is a bit too much traffic in front of them, I will say it may be they get a loan move or a permanent move elsewhere.

"We still need to get into the transfer market and the loan system as well. We are speaking with various clubs.

"I will dip in when the time is right but I am also one of those managers who prefers to save money rather than spend money willy nilly."