Harry Redknapp has again rubished suggestions Tottenham could be tempted to cash in on in-demand winger Gareth Bale this summer.
Italian giants Inter Milan are believed to be interested after witnessing two breathtaking Bale performances against them in this season's Champions League.
Premier League leaders Manchester United are also rumoured to be weighing up a bid, but Redknapp believes any sale would be a step in the wrong direction.
"If Tottenham start selling players like Gareth Bale then you have to accept that you're never going to be a top club," he told Sky Sports News.
"I'm sure the chairman, Daniel [Levy], wants to be a top four club.
"Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal do it every year, if we want to do it we have to keep improving, not selling players.
"Otherwise you'll do it one year and you might never do it again."
Tottenham are five points shy of fourth-placed Manchester City at present, while their Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread following Tuesday's 4-0 drubbing at Real Madrid.
Striker Peter Crouch received his marching orders early in that game, but Redknapp refuses to blame the England international and instead thanked him for his seven goals en route to the quarter-finals.
"He's been low has Peter, he's been really disappointed in himself, he feels like he's let everybody down," said the Tottenham boss.
"But without Crouchy we wouldn't even have been in that game because his goals have taken us to the quarter-finals of the Champions League this year."
