I don't think anyone got Porter's transfer status wrong. The problem was he had the impression that Hartlepool weren't renewing his contract...
Don't want to be a bush lawyer, HN, but Porter, for one, got his transfer status wrong.
If he only had the impression his contract was not being renewed and then put his house on the market based on that, without actually clarifying things with his club... (??)
And doesn't Porter have a manager/agent or someone representing his interests?
Didn't that person talk to Hartlepool to clarify his clients status - maybe do it professionally and get it in writing - before entering into negotiations with the Nix?