Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed the club will speak to Derby to make Lee Grant’s stay permanent.
Grant, 33, joined Stoke on the last day of the summer transfer window on a short-loan deal that is due to expire in January as cover for an injured Jack Butland.
The veteran goalkeeper was quickly given the chance to impress between the sticks following Shay Given’s poor performances in goal at the start of the season and Grant has been immense for the Potters.
Grant has arguably been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season and Hughes has confirmed he wants to make the Englishman’s stay at the Bet365 Stadium permanent.
“We would like him to stay. He’s done exceptionally well, we are delighted he’s been able to do that,” Sky Sports quote Hughes as saying.
“It’s not easy when you come into a new club. It was a shot to nothing for him. He thought it was a good opportunity and he’s grabbed it with both hands - literally.
“I think, as we speak, we are talking to Derby and we would like something to happen. Maybe Derby recognise it might be a deal that’s a bit more advantageous than three or four months ago. That’s understandable to a certain extent. We know the value for us and it has to be the right deal. Hopefully we will get it done.”
Grant wasn’t expected to have such an extended run in the team but a series of setbacks in Butland’s return from a long-term ankle injury has kept the veteran between the sticks and now Butland could face a fight to regain the gloves when he is fully fit.
In fact, of goalkeepers to have featured in more than one Premier League game this season Grant has the best save success rate (87.1%).
For more stats on Lee Grant, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
