Gillingham manager Steve Evans says the offer from Charlton Athletic for their captain was an insult.

Evans claims their League 1 rivals only offered £100,000 for highly-rated midfielder Kyle Dempsey, only half of what was widely reported last week.

Dempsey has stepped his game up another level since moving south from Fleetwood, and despite being out of contract in the summer and available on a free, Evans is keen to hold onto his main man.

“Dempsey is not leaving,” Evans stated, when questioned on Saturday about transfer speculation.

And when asked about Charlton’s apparent bid, he said: “That was insulting, it was £100,000. Even with £200,000 they would get laughed out.

“You just wonder sometimes if that was just to upset the player. That was done to us before the game (against Charlton) was cancelled. Come on Charlton, behave yourselves. Nonsense.”

Gillingham were due to play Charlton this Saturday but the game has been postponed following international call-ups for the London side.

Could they come back in with another offer? “They can come back in if they like but they are not getting him,” responded Evans to the suggestion. “You don’t insult someone one minute and then be alright with them the next do you?

“Kyle is a valuable part of what we are trying to achieve here.”

Dempsey started Saturday’s match brightly, providing the corner for Jack Tucker to head home and another cross that Vadaine Oliver should have done better with.

Evans said: “First half he was brilliant, he switched off for the goal but he is still a big player for us, He knows he let us down for the goal. I hold him in such high esteem, he is a top talent and will win us lots of games going forward.”

Dempsey, speaking before the weekend, said he was aware of the interest but was concentrating on his football.

He said: "I have a year left at the club, that is my main focus, if anything happens it happens, if it doesn’t it doesn’t, but I am happy here and I will just continue to play my football

“You know you are doing something right, you are putting in performances that are attracting clubs and I need to concentrate on being here, putting in performances for this shirt, especially for the fans and and myself.”

More on the Gills;

• Evans appalled as Shrewsbury game ends in a brawl

• Manager and chairman call for unity from supporters

• Boss frustrated after dominant first half at Shrewsbury