Stoke City: Potters in talks to sign £2m Michael Kightly
STOKE boss Tony Pulis is poised to make a final decision on whether to take the plunge for Wolves winger Michael Kightly.
The two clubs have been in negotiation for several days, but Stoke may have to pay more than their £2m valuation.
-
Michael Kightly battles for the ball with Stoke City's Rory Delap.
Pulis, who returned to the UK after Stoke's tour of America yesterday, will also be anxious to avoid a third party weighing in with an 11th-hour interest to scupper his designs on the 26-year-old.
Kightly, pictured below, is more familiar with the right wing, but could be utilised on either side if he ends up at the Britannia Stadium. And that will throw down the gauntlet to both Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington who have had little previous competition for their roles.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Kightly, who has a year left on his current contract at Molinuex, is known to be keen on remaining in the Premier League after being relegated with Wolves and subjected to a major pay cut as a result.
Pulis is satisfied his well-documented injury problems are a thing of the past after playing without problems over the last nine months.
That included a loan spell at Watford to speed up his rehabilitation, and former Stoke midfielder John Eustace, still skipper at Vicarage Road, said he believed Kightly would prove a great asset should he move to the Brit.
Pulis was also a keen admirer of Kightly's wing partner Matt Jarvis, but the current asking price appears to be well out of Stoke's reach.
Former England striker Michael Owen remains on Stoke's radar after becoming a free agent following his departure from Manchester United.
Any contract for the 32-year-old would have to be weighted heavily towards his playing record following his poor fitness record in recent years.
Even then, Pulis may have to make considerable room on his wage bill to accommodate a player used to earning in excess of £50,000-a-week in the past.
Owen would be handled sensitively at the Britannia to try to ensure his consistent fitness, and that would include deploying him largely as an impact player from the bench.
Owen has been training on his own all summer after choosing to ponder his options, but he has now said he is about to make a decision on a new club that would mean remaining at his North West base.
Comments
by Latthink
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 9:43PM
“Why does everyone think that SCFC4 is in the USA. I always thought that EVA was a Russian name?”
by Latthink
Tuesday, August 07 2012, 4:28PM
“EVA! Totally agree with your comments on EVERY page of this Forum. Seems like I hear those who abuse the sane are squealing in anguish. But I have just switched my hearing aid off! However even in my antiquity I'm sure I am able to equal or even surpass anything these vebal bruisers can produce.”
by SCFC4EVA
Monday, August 06 2012, 11:00PM
“latthink, lay off the insults! dont you know that only people allowed to throw out insults on here are him an the very select few who insult the open minded fans for expressing their opinion.”
by wheatear
Monday, August 06 2012, 8:47PM
“Wheatearole? Wheatearole? are you sure you are'nt seven?
Lathink, I care not a jot whether you like what I say or not, but do not blame me if you talk in riddles and I am not the only person on this site who thinks that you do either and not the only one that thinks signing Owen ON A FREE will be a good move. But I do agree others think it is a bad idea, your American pal soccerfoot - great pedigree there!
But the difference is you never make any comment unless it is against the club you say you support. True colours!!
So here is a suggestion, lay of the insults just for once, when others comment on what you say, even if you reply, do it without the childish jibes.”
by stoked
Monday, August 06 2012, 5:32PM
“Latthink, for once we agree. I have no doubt your 7 year old Grandson would make more sense than you. Get him on.”
by Latthink
Monday, August 06 2012, 5:07PM
“Wheatearole! I dont need you to pass jugement on my scribblings, and if you are unable to understand that what I wrote, then I'm so sorry, it appears I have totally overestimated your mental powers. Perhaps my seven year old grandson will be at a more suitable scribbling level for you!
By the way, OWEN IS HISTORY and I am not alone on this Forum to say so!”
by wheatear
Monday, August 06 2012, 2:50PM
“Nice work on the arrows SoCerFoot Con 4EVR - you know, the ones you say you never touch?
Why have you changed your name?”
by SCFC4EVA
Monday, August 06 2012, 2:34PM
“latthink, it really is hard to talk seriously on here without laughing at some of the others isn't it ? You would think the way they talk that we are FA Cup winners, League Cup, old UEFA Cup, Champion's League winners, League winners etc etc etc numerous times over and over . What ever happened to realism and perspective. No shame in being a supporter of a team that really hasn't accomplished much over the years, when in reality, that is actually what the majority of the teams in existence have done. We are the 2nd oldest team in the league and it took us only 148 years to reach an FA Cup final. Does this stop me from yelling, screaming and singing about my favourite team?
of course not !”
by wheatear
Monday, August 06 2012, 9:18AM
“boothenender he lives in America and will now tell you how you are attacking those who cannot go every week and what about those who cannot afford at all.
Welcome to the world of soccerfoot. He loves widning others up because he lives on the replies, seems to have nothing else in his life and pushes you to insult him so he can claim the higher ground, even though nearly every post is an insult in itself to supporters such as you!”
by boothernender
Monday, August 06 2012, 8:18AM
“So SCFC4EVA, the history of Stoke City is mostly bad times. So why do you spend your time moaning about all the good times we have had since 2008. Have you got a season ticket for the coming season ? I'm sure you have with you being such a big supporter.”