Agreed,had it been a championship or even league 1 team then it was a possiblity, but I doubt many teams in league 2 would be able to buy a player out of a 2 and a half year deal.
I think you will also find that he signed a three year deal after Gannon left. It is also well known that Jim O'Brian hated Gannon, that's why I think he was joking, maybe not though, it's a funny old game.
For anyone who is interested, Blackman has just tweeted "Don't believe what you read." take from that what you will.
As for the Hateley thing,i think that's a joke between the two from the misserable time,under Gannon, that the players had.