Livingston confirm St Johnstone bids for Forrest have been rejected

Livingston boss David Martindale says St Johnstone’s bids to sign Alan Forrest have been rejected after falling short of the asking price for the attacker.

The Perth side are targeting new recruits after a dismal run of form that has seen them tumble to the bottom of the Premiership table. Last season’s double cup winners have identified Forrest as a player who can help them escape their relegation fears and formal bods have been made.

Though the winger is out of contract this summer and likely to leave Livingston, Martindale is not keen to let him go this onth, especially to a rival.

“It is a tough one, to be fair,” the manager said. “Alan has been pretty honest and fair with me and told me he thinks his future is away from Livingston.

“I made him a contract offer and he is probably not going to sign that contract.

“I have told St Johnstone that I don’t want to lose Alan and I will be honest, do I really want to lose him to someone who is as close to me in the table?”

Livingston have a set valuation for Forrest and Martindale says St Johnstone haven’t come close to the offer that would make him prepared to allow a move.

He said: “Do I want to strengthen one of my rivals? Not really.

“So I have made it clear to St Johnstone that if they want to take Alan Forrest it needs to be for a premium to make it worthwhile for Livingston Football Club, so that’s where we are.

“I don’t want to discuss the figures but we are probably in the ball park of 30 to 35 per cent difference in the figure.

“I told St Johnstone what I wanted, they have put two bids in now, I have knocked them both back. So that’s where we are.

“If Alan is here on February 1, I genuinely know he will give me everything he has got, he is a good kid and a good professional but obviously I am now also looking at bringing someone else in.”