McAlister has come through the ranks at Cappielow

"It was on record earlier in the season that I am a fan of the lad McAlister," said McGhee, responding to reports that Morton want �250,000 for the player.

"But it is premature and unfair of Morton to discuss where we are with it as we have not made an official offer.

"We do not want to unsettle the lad at his present club."

McAlister has been with Morton since joining from amateurs Linwood Rangers.

He has made 169 appearances for the Greenock club since 2002, but McGhee could move if he thinks the player has Scottish Premier League potential.

I'm not going to bring in players just for the sake of it Motherwell manager Mark McGhee

McGhee is poised to lose in-form forward Ross McCormack in the summer, with English Premier League clubs expressing an interest.

And, having already signed goalkeeper Luke Daniels on loan from West Brom, is looking to further strengthen his squad.

"We hope so, I can't say who they are right now," said McGhee, who has also been linked with Hamilton Accies striker Richard Offiong.

"We have had one or two we are disappointed with already but one or two more we are hopeful of bringing in."

McGhee this month allowed experienced trio Martyn Corrigan, Simon Mensing and Willie Kinniburgh to leave Fir Park.

And left-back Danny Murphy extended his loan spell at Dunfermline despite Jim Paterson serving a two-match ban.

Failure to bring in players would leave Motherwell short of experience if they suffer a run of injuries.

But McGhee would rather blood youngsters than field players he does not rate.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Motherwell's interest in Jim McAlister

"The squad is definitely not strong enough - it's anything but strong enough," he said.

"But I'm not going to bring in players just for the sake of it.

"I have let players go because I felt they weren't good enough. So I'm only going to bring in players that are better.

"I'm not about to go out and replace guys I felt couldn't contribute with other guys that can't contribute.

"If we have to go between now and the end of the season using young players then I will do that.

"One of the reasons why I have let players go is so that we can do that.