Crawley have revealed how they battled to keep their star players ahead of the transfer deadline.

Director of football Selim Gaygusuz said Reds turned down bids for four players during the transfer window.

League One high-flyers Shrewsbury lodged a bid for Jordan Roberts and that there was strong interest in Josh Payne.

Reds today revealed midfielder Payne has signed a new deal taking him through to the summer of 2020.

Attacking duo Enzio Boldewijn and Thomas Verheydt were subject of offers while it is believed there has also been interest in defender Josh Yorwerth.

Gaygusuz said: “I won’t name the players but clubs from the Championship, Scottish Premiership, League One and Dutch Premier League all made significant bids during January.

“I am absolutely delighted that Crawley Town were able to turn down these offers and the players involved have all said they are committed to the club.

“In terms of recruiting players, we would have liked to have done more business and made several approaches for players in the UK and Europe.

“But we are delighted to have brought in Karlan Ahearne-Grant from Charlton Athletic. He had several offers from other League One and Two clubs but chose us because he wants to work with our head coach Harry Kewell and he can see the significant progress we have made on the pitch in the last two months.

“I’m sure our fans appreciate the progress we are making under our ambitious head coach. The club is moving in the right direction and I believe we are in for an exciting last third of the season.

Payne joined Reds in the summer of 2016 and has gone on to make 58 league and cup appearances for the club, scoring three goals.

Kewell said: “This is good news, not only for Josh but for the club going forward.

“Since I came to the club Josh has been an outstanding professional. He’s one of the senior players in the group and sets the right example day in, day out.

“He has become an important member of the squad and I hope he will play a big part in what we are trying to achieve going forward.”

Payne said: “I’m delighted to sign this new contract.

“I feel we are really making progress under Harry Kewell. I love the way he wants us to play because it brings out the best in me as a player.

“We’re on a good run at the moment but no one is getting carried away. It’s one game at a time, but hopefully we can finish the season strongly and then really push on next season and beyond.”