Maynard is a graduate of Crewe's fabled Academy (Getty)

Crewe Alexandra have rejected bids from Bristol City and Ipswich Town for striker Nicky Maynard.

The Alex are thought to have placed a �2m price tag on the 21-year-old, a valuation that neither Championship club has yet been prepared to match.

Maynard scored 15 goals for the Railwaymen last year, despite missing almost four months of the season with a broken leg.

He is still expected to be part of Crewe's pre-season tour of Bulgaria.

Maynard, an Academy graduate, has previously been linked with a move to Middlesbrough.

Alex technical director Dario Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke in June: "I doubt whether anyone will approach us for Nicky but if the right deal came along that was good for us and him then we would do it."