Exclusive: Peterborough United offered the chance to sign Sunderland striker Will Grigg

Speaking to the Echo’s ‘The Roar’ podcast, Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony revealed how Grigg was one of the names put forward for his consideration during the January transfer window.

But the offer of his services didn’t come from the Black Cats - who made it clear that the striker would not be allowed to join a League One rival - but instead from a speculative agent.

Grigg, who joined the Black Cats during the previous January window, looked set for a move away from the Stadium of Light having fallen down the pecking order under Phil Parkinson.

Reports suggested that the Northern Irish international had snubbed the chance to join Salford City on loan, while a move to Shrewsbury Town wasn’t sanctioned.

And while Parkinson was clear that he wouldn’t allow the striker to strengthen another third tier side, that didn’t stop an agent looking to strike a deal with the Posh.

“He wasn’t offered to us by Sunderland, he was offered to us by an agent,” explained MacAnthony, speaking exclusively to the Echo.

“Somehow agents are getting my number, so in the build-up to deadline day you’ll get a load of agents sending you lists of players.

“He was one player that was on an agents list and we were told we could get him for these kind of wages.

“For me, it wasn’t [an option].

“We’ve got League One’s best striker, we’ve got League One’s best teenage striker, and then we’ve got Dembele and Mo Eisa.

“We didn’t need a striker. It wasn’t a case of ‘oh, Will Grigg is available.’

“Any other time, if there was a situation where we needed a striker, I wouldn’t be against it because he’s been prolific at this level.”

Grigg could yet move on from the Stadium of Light when the summer window opens, with Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts hinting at renewed interest come the end of the season – having come close to landing his signature in the winter window.

"Will Grigg wanted to come,” he told the Shropshire Star.

“I tell you now if three-quarters of the league wanted him it'd be an understatement.

“We were the ones he wanted to come to, but unfortunately we couldn't get it done.

“I don't know if the opportunity will be gone in the summer but we'll see.

“That would've been a statement of intent and player of undoubted quality who I regard as the best in the league.

“There were a number of other players who we missed out on. When someone like Will becomes available it's a no-brainer.

"He was somebody I was desperate to do (sign) as well as others. We wanted to take that next step and go again."

You can listen to our full interview with MacAnthony here.