Albion boss Gus Poyet has accused departed defender Grant Hall of misleading the club about his reason for not signing a new contract.

The Argus revealed on Wednesday that Hall has completed a move to Spurs.

The Seagulls are now waiting for the North London giants to settle a suitable compensation fee.

Hall, 20, turned down a new three-year deal offered by Albion before his contract expired at the end of June.

The centre half prospect feared a lack of first team opportunities which has left Poyet puzzled by his decision to join Spurs, where competition for places will be tougher.

Poyet told The Argus: “The only disappointing side with Grant Hall is that what he told us was the reason for not signing a contract was not true. He didn’t accept our contract for a reason but that reason is not happening.

“There was a clear reason he gave us as to why he did not want to stay here. I know what he said and it’s not happening, so it’s disappointing, no doubt.”

Hall broke into the first team at the turn of the year. Albion had him earmarked for a bright long-term future, with captain Gordon Greer the wrong side of 30 and Tommy Elphick still recovering from a serious Achilles injury when the contract offer was on the table.

Elphick was subsequently sold to Bournemouth, while Poyet dropped Lewis Dunk after Albion’s opening defeat at Swindon in the Capital One Cup and recalled Adam El-Abd alongside Greer at the heart of the defence.

The change back to seven substitutes would have increased the chances of Hall being involved in the first team squad and there was also the possibility of him being loaned out to gain more experience, a route already taken by the Seagulls with their highly-rated young midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey.

Poyet added: “Sometimes we try to advise players knowing the game but my point of view is probably not the same as the player’s point of view. I just wish him well. I hope he can make it and can be playing at the highest level.

“I am not against him. He made a decision, nothing else, but I think it’s important to know the reason.”

Meanwhile, there could be a hectic climax to the transfer window for Albion, with Poyet continuing his hunt for a target man and Matt Sparrow and Romain Vincelot invited to leave in search of first team football.

Poyet said: “We’ll keep trying until the last second and if not after the loans. You know know I’m not a big fan of them but maybe we’ll be lucky to get a season-long loan and then you change your mind.”