Stoke City: The transfer window is open and the speculation begins...
The January transfer window is open for business, and the rumours about comings and goings are in full flow.
THE professional rumour mongers do not seem to be putting much thought into the art of transfer predictions these days.
When the winter transfer window opens on the eighth day of Christmas every 12 months, the gossips take one look at Stoke City's squad and whisper ... "full-backs".
Any big defender who can play wide who is known to be on the market is soon said to be on his way to the Potters and 2013 is proving true to form.
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The Sun have been first to throw a dart at a list of names and come up with left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, from Saint Etienne, who is "6ft 1in-tall and valued at £2.2m".
City are "locked in a three-way battle for the 21-year-old with Fulham and Udinese" but if Tony Pulis is thinking solely about getting cover for Marc Wilson, this is probably not the man.
Ghoulam has played for France under-21s, but he has switched allegiances to Algeria and will be jetting off smartish later this month to play in the African Cup of Nations.
Martin Olsson has been linked before. The Sentinel reported Stoke had made an inquiry to Blackburn Rovers about the left-back's availability back in July.
ESPN have brought the 24-year-old's name to the top of the pile, saying: "Pulis was put off by the Championship club's £8m demands before, but would like to bring two new players in, with a left-back the priority".
"A source close to Olsson" is quoted: "Sunderland have an interest and have watched him a few times recently and Stoke are also interested.
"It depends what Blackburn want to do. He is in the team at the moment and there has been another change of manager. Stoke were put off in the summer by the valuation."
A source close to Sentinel Player watch said: "Anyone can just make up a quote from an anonymous source."
Meanwhile, the Honduran newspaper Diario Deportivo Diez's weekly Wilson Palacios-watch column has not been great of late and the Reading Chronicle has the midfielder listed as a target for the Royals.
Meanwhile, CREWE ALEXANDRA and PORT VALE have been busy actually conducting deals.
Crewe have extended the loan of goal-scoring central midfielder Brad Inman from Newcastle United until February 11.
The Vale have brought back Trinidad international Chris Birchall until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.
Compiled by PETER SMITH
Comments
by wheatear
Sunday, January 06 2013, 8:47PM
“And your answer is?”
by summertime
Sunday, January 06 2013, 7:45PM
“People, what more evidence do we need than this last post and especially this par"
"I comment on matters when I have something to say, unlike you saying something on everything the site reports". do we need to prove exactly what wheateater and his crew really are.
You see, contrary to what they think, this is an opinion based web site for Stoke City supporters (of course anybody can comment, it is a free country ). It is a place for anybody to post their thought, concerns, views and opinions on and about The Potters. They try their best to make it "their" site, by berating anybody else that has an opinion contrary to theirs, usually by verbal abuse. Most people, not me however, can ignore it, but me, I give it back and they go spare and it leads to mind numbing posts by the culprits”
by wheatear
Sunday, January 06 2013, 7:26PM
“Nice try but failed again!
Sad sad little man, you say everything I just point out how wrong you are and how you have never been a Stoke fan.
I comment on matters when I have something to say, unlike you saying something on everything the site reports.
Tell you what, why dont you answer questions asked of you? go on, just for once!
Like, what is the name of the half time entertainmant at the Brit? or who is John Barnes? just two of the scores of questions you have failed to answer
In the menatime I will continue to hound you and everytime you respond will call you back. You see it is easy becasue you are such a *ick head I will never run out of things to get at you with!
Your turn!”
by summertime
Sunday, January 06 2013, 7:03PM
“there he goes again saying Stoke supporters are like his arce
Is that right ? can he say that ?
How come he doesn't say a word about the article ?
Oh yeah, I forgot he never does!”
by wheatear
Sunday, January 06 2013, 6:41PM
“Yes evapottysummerfoot, all I hear is you being negative and suggesting that Stoke City are incapable of a) playing football or b) running a football club
How come you being so brilliant at knowing everything about football are wallowing in the states? surely some premiership club has come looking for your magnificent mind and experience?
Stoke supporter? Like my a rse (got the reference yet?)”
by summertime
Sunday, January 06 2013, 2:28PM
“From SKY Sports this report.
"Reports surfaced yesterday that Australian club Perth Glory are keen on bringing Stoke striker Michael Owen to the A-League but Potters boss Tony Pulis has dismissed the rumours, insisting the ex-England man is happy where he is".
How can that be ? Is he happy because he is playing so much ? Is he happy that when he is played for 53 minutes he was basically used as a defending midfielder. Is he happy because his next chance to play will probably be in the Cup replay 10 days from now ?
Also from SKY "We understand West Ham have made an undisclosed bid for Blackburn's Martin Olsson". Are we not looking for a good left back ??
Anybody heard anything ?”
by summertime
Friday, January 04 2013, 8:52PM
“How does Newcastle United, get an excellent (not my words, he's all over the press), French international full back 2 days into the transfer window when they have 2 good ones (again not my words ) already ? Yet we, who need one desperately, can't seem to find one anywhere ??”