No Pompey compensation for Stoke new-boy Grant

The young defender joined the Premier League club on Friday on a two-year deal following his Fratton Park release.

Although aged 19, no formal contract was offered on par with his existing wages.

That means the club are not entitled to any compensation for Grant, who joined from Australian side ECU Joondalup in 2010.

Despite being rated by Pompey, it is understood there were concerns over matching his existing Fratton contract.

Although born in Manchester, Grant arrived from the Blues’ link-up in Australia which also brought Ryan Williams to the south coast.

However, at the time Pompey were in the Premier League and financially it was decided they could not offer another deal on such terms.

The News understands Grant’s deal – which runs out this summer – includes a provision for the club to fund his parents’ airfare for flights from Australia.

In the present climate, the Blues decided it was a package they could no longer offer.

In addition, they could not see him getting regular football next season with Dan Butler and Adam Webster ahead at left-back and centre-back respectively.

Sources close to Grant claim the youngster would have taken a drop in wages to stay, if it meant him getting more game time next year.

It is a guarantee Whittingham could not make and the youngster has now gone to the Premier League.

Stoke beat off interest from Everton for Grant.

Meanwhile, former York City winger Matty Blair has turned down a move to Pompey in favour of joining League Two rivals Fleetwood Town.