Stoke City have told Derby County to get serious about a fee for Lee Grant.

Derby are playing hardball over his fee, demanding in excess of £4m.

Potters boss Mark Hughes had hoped a bid of around £1.5m would be enough to persuade the Championship club to part company.

He said: “We're kind of resigned to the fact that we will have to pay a premium but the two clubs are miles apart on his valuation.

“The window opens soon so we won't leave it too long, clearly. Lee has to go back so we don't have that much time.

“From Lee's point of view his time here couldn't have gone any better. He came here with no promises, no guarantees of playing. He came here as a back-up keeper.

“But he's done excellently for us since coming in and proved that he's a Premier League keeper."