Stoke City: Potters mount shock bid for Eidur Gudjohnsen
STOKE City chairman Peter Coates today revealed that the club had opened talks with Eidur Gudjohnsen in an ambitious attempt to sign the Iceland international on a season-long loan from Monaco, writes Michael Baggaley.
City are believed to have agreed a deal with the French club to split his wages of around £75,000-a-week.
Now they must persuade the 31-year-old striker that Stoke are an attractive proposition – and hope there is no 11th-hour competition for his signature ahead of tomorrow's tea-time transfer deadline.
"We have inquired about him," confirmed Coates. "We have talked about getting him on a 12-month loan because we think he could be a good player for 12 months, and maybe after that.
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"But whether it happens or not, or how far we will get, we just don't know yet."
Gudjohnsen, who scored at the Britannia Stadium in March while on loan at Tottenham in a 2-1 defeat for Stoke, had enjoyed a glittering career with the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea and Barcelona before joining Monaco 12 months ago.
He is Iceland's record scorer with 24 goals and his national coaches have included former Stoke City manager Gudjon Thordarson.
His signing would leave manager Tony Pulis with various options in attack, but would cast further doubt on Tuncay remaining a Stoke player for much longer.
Pulis is also gunning for a cluster of young Premier League players headed by Portsmouth midfielder Marc Wilson ahead of tomorrow's 6pm deadline.
Wilson has now agreed personal terms with Stoke, according to Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill, as part of a deal which could see both Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson going in the opposite direction.
But Stoke's chances of landing Wilson remain in the balance as several rivals, headed by West Ham and now Fulham, are also circling the 23-year-old former Republic of Ireland youth international.
"I'm hoping we can bring in three or four," said Pulis.
"We are looking at a few younger players with experience in the Premier League and a few that can help one or two weaknesses in the group.
"If we can integrate young people into the group, we can see the club and the spirit grow.
"It's an absolute nightmare trying to deal in the market, but I've been too long in the game not to be optimistic.
"It is a mess nowadays, but you have to swim through it and hope you come out the other end."
STOKE will host Premier League rivals Fulham in the Carling Cup third round.
Fulham, who beat Port Vale 6-0 in round two, will visit the Britannia in the week beginning September 20.
Comments
by lee, waterhayes
Monday, August 30 2010, 6:54PM
“stoke will not sign any of the above, and pulis not willing to do the marc wilson deal until he as at least one player come in cus he is un willing to let two players out the club until he as reinforcesments”
by Ivan, Staffs
Monday, August 30 2010, 5:17PM
“Well seeing would be believing. We're also linked today with Rodallega & Marc Wilson (again) + Jermaine Jenas. Gudjohnsen & at least 2 of the 3 mentioned should do nicely thank you. Somehow, I think we'll be lucky if we get one of the above.”