Brighton chief executive Paul Barber insists the club do not have to sell Marc Cucurella.
The Seagulls put out a statement this week denying reports that Chelsea agreed a deal to sign the Spanish fullback.
And Barber has defended the statement and the club will continue to deny reports if they are incorrect.
“We are under no pressure to sell anyone," Barber told The Argus.
“We don't want to sell Marc in an ideal world but we are also realistic about players' ambitions and, in certain situations, if our valuation is met, we will respect that ambition.
“We certainly don't want to leave Graham (Potter, head coach)with a weaker squad than he would like.
“It's an ongoing process. It has been a busy week, it has certainly been a busy day.
“What we won't allow at any time is the media to run away with a situation which isn't true.
“When we see breaking news that we have sold a player when we actually haven't agreed a deal, then we will step in and stop that.
“That's more than a rumour. That is giving you guys a very misleading impression that a piece of business is done when it isn't.
“It's not often that I authorise a statement like that but when I do it's serious.
“Last night wasn't good and it's not fair and we won't allow that to happen."
