Striker Michael Chopra is in his fourth spell in total at Cardiff City

Dave Jones has revealed why Cardiff City have not sold star Michael Chopra.

Championship rivals Ipswich Town have bid for the former England under-21 striker and are apparently considering a second offer for the 26-year-old.

"Yes, we were offered money for Chopra but it was far less than what we owe so good business says keep him rather than sell him," said City boss Jones.

Championship new boys Leeds United are also said to be interested in signing Cardiff's 21-goal record-signing.

Chopra has already publicly aired his discontent at debt-ridden Cardiff's financial plight this summer.

The outspoken fans' favourite showed his frustration at the current transfer embargo placed on the club by the Football League as they have not lodged end-of-year accounts and because of continuing concerns over unpaid tax bills to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs

"I'm well hacked off," Chopra told the South Wales Echo. "If this club does not bring in new players, I'm off.

"I've had a enough of this. Nothing is moving with just a couple of weeks to go before the new season."

Chopra was honoured alongside team-mate Peter Whittingham in the Championship's team of the year last season after his 21 goals helped fire the welsh team to the the Championship play-off final they lost 3-2 to Blackpool.

We've kept the players and unless it is a knock-out punch for any one of them, they are staying and we want them to stay Cardiff City manager Dave Jones

Chopra is one of the most prolific strikers at Championship level and his frontline partnership with Jay Bothroyd last season was integral to the club's success.

And Bluebirds boss Jones does not want to let one of stars leave the Cardiff City Stadium if he is unable to sign a replacement due to the current Football league sanctions.

Cardiff re-signed Chopra for £4m last summer after he spent a frustrating two seasons at Sunderland.

Jones added: "If you sell him, all you are doing is creating a mass of trouble for yourself.

"One - you still owe money on a player that you have let go. And two - if you try and buy someone in and you haven't got a profit on that player, how do you move in the market?"

Jones suffered play-off heartbreak against Blackpool at Wembley in May and the subsequent frustration of not being able to sign new recruits.

Wales midfielder Joe Ledley left on a free transfer to Celtic while veteran left-back Mark Kennedy has joined Ipswich, but Jones is determined not to lose any more first-teamers during their current dilemma.

Jones said: "We've kept the players and unless it is a knock-out punch for any one of them, they are staying and we want them to stay.

"We are trying to build and not dismantle the squad.

"So unless it is an unbelievable offer for somebody we will try and keep hold of them."

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