Lewis Dunk has grown up as a player and a person at Albion.

And, perhaps ironically, it was those looking to tempt him away who have played a massive part in that.

Seagulls fans will be hoping to see “one of our own” make his international debut at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, the rather basic but atmospheric home of Real Betis, when England face Spain tonight.

Those who know him best at the Albion training complex will view such an eventuality – and indeed his squad call-up in the first place – as the latest step in a blossoming process they have seen taking place before their eyes.

Key figures at the club have been impressed with how Dunk has shrugged off repeated interest in his services from other clubs.

They think he has kept admirable focus despite the intermittent reports of covetous eyes from elsewhere.

So much so that they now believe it would take a fabulous offer from the Premier League top six to tempt him away.

There is also a confidence that Dunk, his agents and his family see things that way.

That he can fulfil his ambitions by staying at the club which has been his home since his days as a scholar.

For Albion, the past week has been confirmation of what they have always assured him when other clubs have come calling. That he can go a long way where he is, that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.

They have seen him grow up after some testing times on and off the pitch and see an improved disciplinary record as a reflection of that.

There was a time when Dunk and other centre-backs were very much second fiddle to Gordon Greer and Matt Upson. And rightly so.

Dunk started playing and scoring regularly under fellow centre-back Sami Hyypia and was one of the few bright spots of that half-season.

If there was a time when the club felt he might go, it was early in the 2015-16 campaign. While determined to keep them, they signed Uwe Huenemeier and Connor Goldson in quick succession partly to guard against his exit and partly with an eye on Greer’s advancing years.

But Dunk stayed – and the international speculation grew as he shone alongside Shane Duffy.

A year ago, Dunk was where Wolves’ Conor Coady is now.

He was playing very well in the top flight but did not have a bank of Premier League performances behind him. Southgate was aware of what the Albion No.5 was doing back then. Very aware.

He had been for some time, going back to under-21 days. He did not need the friendly little reminders Albion chief executive Paul Barber would give him.

Southgate and Barber go way back – to the time they were together for a month or so with England during the 2002 World Cup.

They have always got on well and, in recent years, a pattern has emerged whenever they bump into each other at matches or functions.

The smiling reminder from Barber of any England-qualified Albion player who is performing well. And an equally smiling assurance from Southgate that yes, yes, he knows all about them.

There will be smiles across Sussex if Dunk takes on Luis Enrique’s goal-happy Spain tonight.

But, in a state-of-the-art corner of Lancing, they are already delighted that the past week has confirmed Dunk is in the right place.