Smurthwaite confirms Grant has made transfer request
Port Vale FC chairman says he is “disappointed” after receiving a transfer request from last season’s player of the year.
There had been speculation online that Grant had put in a transfer request following a tweet by a journalist.
Fellow midfielder Sam Foley has also been linked with a move to Swindon but the club statement suggests that this is not the case as there have been “no approach” for any contracted players.
The loss of the influential Grant would be seen as a major blow by many fans especially as many of the club’s new signings have no experience of League One.
A club statement reads:
STATEMENT FROM NORMAN SMURTHWAITE
After reading some social media comments last night I eventually received a copy of an email from Anthony Grant, addressed to the club, requesting that he be put on the transfer list.
I was a little disappointed in this approach as, just before the end of last season and as recent as last week, I was having discussions with Anthony regarding extending his contract for one more year beyond this new season.
As I consider him to be a major asset within the squad I would like to put on notice to all interested parties, including his recently appointed agent, that I will not consider any offer other than his true value to the club; if these conditions are not achieved then Anthony will remain a Port Vale player until the end of his contract.
Any contracted footballer cannot be approached directly without the parent club’s permission and I confirm that no approach has been made for any other Port Vale player at the time of this statement.