Lewis Dunk has reached a pivotal moment in his career.

Does he stick with Albion for at least another year or twist and go elsewhere?

The decision ultimately rests with the 23-year-old centre-half because, realistically, it is the players with the power in the modern game, not their clubs.

Albion have shaped Dunk's development and done all the right things to protect their interests.

Last summer, before he became top scorer, generally performed consistently and should really have won player of the year ahead of Inigo Calderon, Dunk was awarded a new four-year deal.

The timing of Fulham's persistent interest in him is extremely sensitive for the Seagulls.

Selling your best players is never particularly palatable at any stage but losing Dunk now, when another central defender is needed and skipper Gordon Greer is increasingly susceptible to injury niggles, would not go down well.

Especially not to another Championship club.

Albion's stance all along has been not to entertain a sideways switch for their prize asset.

Fulham, flush with funds from the move of Patrick Roberts to Manchester City, have kept on upping their offer, Albion have kept on saying no.

The latest bid, believed to be £4 million, is pretty fair, probably not far away from Albion's own valuation of the player.

Whether it encourages any Premier League clubs to show the colour of their money remains to be seen.

It is one thing for scouts to be tracking a potential target, another for a serious offer to be made.

That would move the goalposts but central to all this is what Dunk desires.

Both his attitude and performance were exemplary on his comeback from a knock in Sunday's friendly defeat at Aberdeen.

Who knows what may, or may not, have been said behind closed doors?

Either way it is Dunk, with a young family to consider and a level-headed representative in former Seagull David Lee to help guide him, who really holds the cards.

He would earn more money by moving, even to Fulham.

Albion might respond to the situation by offering him improved terms themselves, although any revision would have to fall in line with their wage structure.

Remaining on the doorstep of family and friends with regular first team football - form and fitness permitting - virtually guaranteed are factors in Albion's favour.

So too is heading for a lucrative wilderness. How many times have we seen young English players opt prematurely for a move to the Premier League, only to be stuck in the reserves with no realistic pathway into the first team?

There is much for Dunk and Albion to ponder. We can only guess at what is going through his mind right now.

The extent to which their ambitions match his with the rest of the business they do between now and the end of the transfer window will also play a part.

Dunk's future is destined to be determined by then, one way or another.