JONSON Clarke-Harris remains a name is heavy circulation on the transfer rumour mill, even in the final day of the window – but Ian Evatt has explained why the striker was never on his shopping list.

The big Peterborough United front man was placed on the transfer list at the start of the season and offered to a raft of clubs at Championship and League One level.

He remains a Posh player, however, and at time of writing had featured in six of the club’s seven games in all competitions this season.

National reports last week linked Bolton and Bristol Rovers with the 29-year-old, who has scored 29 and 33 goals respectively in his last two seasons at this level.

The deal, so the story went, was contingent on Dion Charles moving to Stoke City or Watford, who had both been on his trail.

Evatt shook his head, maintaining that Clarke-Harris was not within his financial reach, nor would he have suited the club’s playing style.

“Jonno is a very, very good player and for this level in particular his goal record is second to none,” he said. “When you have got a record like that you will always get recognition and admiration from other managers.

“But for me, it is not just about that, they have to fit into our mould, they have to fit into our wage remit, and they have to be affordable for us to keep this club sustainable.

“He would probably be worth a lot more money than we have got to spend.”

Posh seem open to offers – and Saturday’s opponents Derby County are among the teams still being linked with him in the build up to deadline.

Evatt hinted that the fee being demanded at London Road might be prohibitive.

“I don’t think this season there is an Ipswich or a Sheffield Wednesday, who are spending millions and millions. It just doesn’t work that way,” he said.

“I could put Dion Charles on the transfer list but if he was up there for £20million, who is going to sign him?

“We have to look within our remit and our structure and if it is within it and we like him then, of course, we will do it. If not, we have to find better solutions, not just for the team but for the financial future of this football club as well.”

Wanderers are maintaining a low key approach to deadline day but have not ruled out doing some transfer business if the right deal comes along.

Evatt expects to see some players for whom he was priced out of the market earlier this summer start to fall within reach.

Meanwhile, he is happy to watch the rumours fly around.

“It is hilarious, it really is, and when you walk around the streets people will ask me: ‘Are we in for him, are we in for him?’ I usually shrug and say: ‘I don’t know!’ “Maybe they know more than I do?

“We always try and be professional and keep our cards close to our chest. It is the right way to do things and while I know sometimes things can get leaked, it isn’t that often.

“We will have a good laugh throughout the day at the players we’re offered who are nowhere near achievable or affordable for us. That is the best part of it, for me.”