text: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has claimed no club has made an offer for Aaron Cresswell, and that the left back would be better off continuing his development at West Ham amid rumoured interest from Chelsea and Manchester City. Cresswell, 25, has been a consistent performer for the Hammers since signing from Ipswich for £2million last summer, making 32 Premier League appearances and scoring twice in his debut top-flight season. The defender’s performances have not gone un-noticed among the division’s top sides, with Chelsea and Manchester City supposedly eyeing a deal for Cresswell in the summer. But Allarydce claims that club have not been approached with an offer for his services. West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell (right) is a reported target for Chelsea and Manchester City . The 25-year-old has starred for the Hammers this term, scoring twice - including this goal against Newcastle . ‘As far as I am concerned, no-one has bid for Aaron Cresswell. So, it’s all pure rumours and speculation, which has to fill the huge amount of media space that you have to fill,’ Allardyce said. ‘My problem is: does it affect Aaron Cresswell and affect his performance? ‘Players can lose that focus on that rumour and that’s for me to make sure Aaron does what he can all season and he performs on a consistent basis. What will happen in the summer, we will wait and see. ‘I have even heard somebody said we have put a £25m buyout on him. That’s the first I know, I haven’t heard anything from myself or through owners to say “well, if somebody wants AC they would have to pay 25m.”’ Despite Cresswell’s smooth negotiation of the step up to the Premier League from the Championship, Allardyce firmly believes he would be better served staying with the east London side next season. Upton Park boss Sam Allardyce (centre) believes Cresswell would be better off staying to develop his game . ‘There’s no doubt about that, because he’s year one in the Premier League. Year one is an ongoing experience that you have that you know the level,’ Allardyce continued. ‘Aaron now needs to grow from that experience. His challenge is to continue to work as harder than he has this year, not to rest on his laurels, to think that he’s here. ‘We have seen players do that and then year two more of a disaster than his impressive first year. His professionalism will come into play start of next year by where he gets and if he gets to the next level.
target: Aaron Cresswell has starred for West Ham in debut Premier League term .
  Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly interested in the defender .
  Sam Allardyce says the former Ipswich star would be better off staying .