Lee Grant is urging Derby County to allow him to stay with Stoke City.

The Sentinel says it is understood Derby want more than £4m for a goalkeeper excelling during his first foray into the Premier League over the past three months, but Stoke want to pay nearer £1.5m for a player out of contract and therefore a free agent next summer.

“My understanding of things is that there has been a fair offer made and it has been turned down by my own club," said Grant, “so unfortunately there is not a lot more I can say or do about it, especially when you have important and difficult fixtures ahead to concentrate on. Clubs can make it difficult and it seems like that's the case currently.

“I've made it clear, and Stoke have made their intentions clear, and the hope is that some agreement will be reached before my loan is up (on January 3). I've had 12 years at the football club and I have loved almost every minute of that.

“I've had some interesting times over the last 18 months, but that doesn't take away the fact that I have a strong affinity with the football club. I've given good service and you hope that stands you in good stead in these type of situations."