Defender Valter Fernandes last night left King's Lynn Town under a cloud of controversy.

Furious Linnets boss Gary Setchell insisted the club has not received a seven-day approach for his services and claimed his departure had come about in 'underhand' circumstances. But the agent of the former Portugal Under-19 captain, Patrick Elsmore Dodsworth, said the pacy right-back had left of his own accord in order to find more first-team football.

Setchell, who on Monday released centre-back Phil Gulliver, said: 'Valter told me he is moving to Manchester and he is leaving King's Lynn to join another club in our division in the Manchester area – although we have not received any seven-day approaches from any clubs.

'It's all very underhand in my opinion and that can happen when agents get involved.

'I found Valter a club, I found him accommodation and I told him this year would be a learning curve as he had to get used to English football. He had a good opportunity here and had a good chance of playing on Saturday now that Phil has gone. I'm not very happy about it all – but I had a lot of time for Valter and I think he has probably been too honest in what he said to me. But I wish him all the best in his career – this is nothing to do with him.'

Setchell confirmed that the Linnets would be 'investigating' the matter to ensure their departed defender hadn't been the subject of an illegal approach. Non-contracted players, such as Fernandes, are free to talk to any other club – but only once they have lodged a week's notice of their interest to the team he is signed for. But Lynn secretary Norman Cesar last night confirmed the club hadn't received an approach.

The 24-year-old, who played for FC Porto as a youngster, is thought to be considering taking on his parents' nationality and representing African country Guinea-Bissau at senior international level. And Elsmore Dodsworth insists that's the main reason he is leaving.

'Valter is not in Manchester, he is still in North Walsham,' claimed the agent.

'Valter had decided to leave King's Lynn but that doesn't mean he's signed a contract for another club, or that he's been approached by any club. He enjoyed his time at King's Lynn and his relationship with everyone there, including the supporters.'

The 24-year-old joined The Walks club in the summer after a successful trial and made four competitive appearances.