Compensation fees for the summer transfers of Will Grigg and Harry Forrester may not be decided until the end of next month, according to Brentford sporting director Mark Warburton.
Striker Grigg, 22, signed for Brentford when his Walsall contract expired, while Forrester, also 22, left Griffin Park to join Doncaster.
Both players rejected new deals but cannot move on Bosman free transfers as they are under the age of 24.
With the respective clubs unable to come to an agreement over a fee, compensation payments for both moves will have to be set by tribunal.
And Warburton told West London Sport: “We don’t know when the tribunal will be yet.
“Clubs, lawyers, agents and officials are all tied up in the transfer window at the moment so it may not happen until the end of the month [September].
“Ideally we would have liked to have agreed the compensation with Walsall without the tribunal, as these things can be costly and time consuming.
“But if the disparity is too great then it has to be decided with the Football League.”
Warburton added: “It must be stressed that this is not a transfer fee. This is a compensation payment for the training and development expenses at the player’s previous club.
“We must now provide our case regarding how much we think he is worth and it is up to the tribunal to decide on the final sum.”
When that tribunal – The Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) – presides, Brentford will argue that they played a key role in developing Forrester, who joined them in 2011 after being released by Aston Villa.
Grigg, meanwhile, netted 20 goals for Walsall last season and has already scored twice for the Bees this term, but missed Saturday’s game against the Saddlers with a hamstring problem.
“Grigg has settled into the squad very well and already made an impact,” said Warburton.
“The situation will not affect him and hopefully he will be back in the team soon.”
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Dragging the chain? We settle Forrester outside the tribunal, and Walsall cling on for the hope of gaining their unrealistic expectation?
So Walsall can't spend the money based on their own greed (or can't get credit in the meantime) - What a shame.
So on one hand hes trying to screw Doncaster for a measly 2 years development and training but on the other he wont offer walsall a reasonable price for Grigg, whom they have trained and developed for 7 years and has 20 international caps. I do hope they do both tribunal's on the same day to make Mark Warburton look like the utter tool he is.
Pretty sure Harry Forrester was sorted?
What source tells you that it is being settled by tribunal?
Keep dragging the chain, Brentford. Pay before you play should be introduced. Walsall won't be able to use the money once the window is closed.