"We have a situation where one of our 15-year-olds has been approached," said Gradi.
"He is an outstanding player by any standards and he has come in and told us that he wants to leave right now to join a big club.
"What sort of compensation are we going to get for all the work that has gone into developing him? Any compensation is insignificant for the effort that gone in.
"We lost a 12-year-old to Everton. He was our best 12-year-old. The lure is that the bigger clubs pay big expenses.
"This kid will be getting several hundred pounds a week in expenses. We pay expenses but nothing like that. It's more a case of giving out £20 if someone can pick a kid up en-route.
"It is so hard to protect your players. All this goes against the morality of the game - it's the rich robbing the poor. At least FIFA have given the smaller clubs hope."
In the wake of Chelsea's transfer ban the Reds may try to head off trouble by paying Crewe a larger than usual compensation fee for Clayton.