Stoke City: Potters' Chelsea target Romelu Lukaku set to stay in capital
STOKE look like missing out to Fulham in the chase to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on a long-term loan.
The 19-year-old Belgium international is thought to favour staying in London after hearing of Fulham's interest.
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Tony Pulis was said to be interested in Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku
Stoke boss Tony Pulis had been monitoring his availability ever since he arrived at Chelsea 12 months.
Discussions had taken place last August over a six-month loan for the youngster, but the move fell foul of red tape.
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Rules prevent players from signing a permanent deal and loan deal in the same transfer window – and Lukaku had just arrived from Anderlecht in an £18m move.
Lukaku is desperate for a sniff of first-team action after just one Premier League start – and Pulis saw a place for his raw power in his squad to replace Ricardo Fuller as an impact striker.
In Switzerland, meanwhile, Stoke's first-team party are not being spared at their pre-season training camp as three sessions-per-day are fitted in between 7am and 6pm.
The squad is training at high altitude, but assistant boss Dave Kemp said: "I know I'm puffing hard after the bike rides, but that would happen to me anywhere in the world, so I'm not sure what effect the altitude is having on the lads."
Mama Sidibe has enjoyed another breakthrough after surviving his first serious ball work in training without any adverse reaction to the knee he dislocated last October.
"He has done everything the others have been doing," said Kemp, "and that's brilliant for him after what he's been through."
STOKE striker Ryan Brunt has joined League One Leyton Orient on loan until the end of December, while former Potter Abdoulaye Faye is a target for Hull after being released by West Ham.
EX-STOKE favourite Mickey Thomas, now 58, is coming out of retirement to play for Warrington against City's Academy in a friendly at Cantilever Park tomorrow (7.30pm).
Comments
by wheatear
Thursday, July 19 2012, 7:42PM
“Anybody noticed how posts from the American one keep disapearing - my God who has he upset?
Form a queue please!”
by Davejjohnson
Thursday, July 19 2012, 7:40PM
“Quite right MrDap, it's not right to call Knob a Knob just because he's a Knob.”
by MrDAP
Thursday, July 19 2012, 4:58PM
“Stuff the rules Mr Wheat, they are there to be broken. You will have noticed I have already broken the 'Knob' rule that 'our group' created, and have been referring to the Great One as Mr Foot.”
by wheatear
Thursday, July 19 2012, 3:27PM
“I think it is fair to say that that was an insulting post?
Seems MrDap you are allowed any opinion, as long as it is the same as certain others! To the best of my knowledge you did not insult others in what you said?
Perhaps their is another rule book which we are not party too?”
by MrDAP
Thursday, July 19 2012, 1:41PM
“Torres: yes, £50million was not the best deal for him, but...last season he won the FA Cup, the Champions League, and the Euros, where he also won the Golden Boot. Not bad for a "bust" eh Mr Foot?”
by wheatear
Thursday, July 19 2012, 11:03AM
“Where did all this inside information coem from nelliebell?”
by nelliebell
Thursday, July 19 2012, 10:56AM
“If T.P. is looking at a player of quality we have no chance of getting him,players of reall quality will not come & play the type of football T.P.expects to serve up in the Prem,also Coates will not open the cheque book this year,he will recoup his 60mil,& T.P. will have to make do with freebies,& pay as u play,thats how Coates doe,s buisiness,it will cost him now,t,& he will make an even bigger profit,sorry Stokies but that is fact,i wish it was not true,but he,s done it in the past,nothing changes,it,s going to be a long hard slog this season,so be prepared.”
by wheatear
Thursday, July 19 2012, 10:13AM
“It seems Dave that we have not been paying enough attention!
The biggest surprise for me is just how so much is made of our posts, even when they are not aimed at what he would describe as this site 'Stalker'”
by Davejjohnson
Thursday, July 19 2012, 8:13AM
“I said he was highly rated as was Torres, never said either was a great player and I have never said I know everything. You should really consider learning to read, write and understand the English language properly if you are going to persist with using this site.”
by Nicko12324
Thursday, July 19 2012, 8:11AM
“Hahahahahahah....who said the Septic Tanks don't have a sense of humo(u)r?
Don't think he got sarcasm Dave!”