DARRELL Clarke has revealed Port Vale wanted to sign Wanderers winger Dennis Politic on a permanent deal but wages proved to be a stumbling block.

Politic scored five goals in 16 appearances during a loan spell with the League Two side this season.

The Romania-born playmaker is now set to complete a £50,000 move to Italian side Cremonese after being re-called from Vale Park.

Clarke praised Politic but insists it is crucial to maintain the club’s “sensible” wage structure.

“Dennis was outstanding,” he told Stoke-on-Trent Live. “We were in for him but, like I have always said, there is a wage structure at this club that I don’t want to break.

“I have great support at the club and there isn’t going to be a gulf between players’ wages. I don’t want that, I don’t think it is the right way to build it.

“We are not moneybags, we try to do things at a sensible level and get competitive.”

Earlier this season, Politic – who moved to the UK at the age of 12 - turned down an offer of a one-year extension from the Whites.

Ian Evatt appeared to draw a line under the winger’s Bolton career last week, stating that the club had “moved on” and would be looking for other players to bolster their squad.

Wanderers have already brought in Dion Charles, Marlon Fossey, Aaron Morley and James Trafford this month.

The Whites are also trying to get deals done for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Kyle Dempsey before the transfer window closes.

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