Summer Window Watch; Stoke City - Week 2
On Tuesday (July 7) Stoke learn that they face competition for the signature of Benjani Mwaruwari. The Potters were linked with the Zimbabwean striker last week, but according to the Portsmouth News the former Pompey striker would welcome a return to Fratton Park, now that things are getting a little crowded for him in the striking department at Manchester City. There’s no suggestion that Stoke are completely out of the running for Benjani, but the waters are a little muddier now. Meanwhile Tony Pulis’ side could be the latest to benefit from the seemingly endless production line of talent at Crewe Alexandra. Eighteen-year-old academy stars Matty Lund and Ben Marshall agree to join the Britannia Stadium outfit rather than remain at Crewe, where such luminaries as David Platt, Neil Lennon, Dean Ashton and Danny Murphy learned their trade. On Wednesday (July 8) The Sun are spreading gossip about Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross. The 21-year-old defender is, they say, the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur, who are looking at sweetening the potential £2million deal with the inclusion of midfielder Didier Zokora. Yet by the end of the day Zokora is on his way to Sevilla in La Liga, and Harry Redknapp is left combing the Spurs dressing room for another makeweight. Pulis turns his attentions to securing the players that he already has, with both Salif Diao and Andy Wilkinson penning new deals today. Diao will remain at the club for at least another year despite an injury-troubled season in 2008/09, while Wilkinson’s new agreement will keep him around until at least 2013. In theory, but these are footballers contracts we are talking about; “It was a dream come true to play for the club I supported as a kid and now to sign a new deal for another season going into the Premier League is another dream.” says a dreamy Wilkinson, who is the club’s longest-serving player. Another potential milestone-maker at the Britannia could be Stephen M’bia. If reports in Friday’s Sun (July 10) are to be believed the Rennes midfielder could be the subject of a £6million bid from Pulis. This would be a club record fee for Stoke, as they look to build on the squad which comfortably held on to it’s Premier League status last term. Yet the Daily Mirror report that Stoke will need to go as high as £10million if they are to beat off competition from Everton for the Cameroon international. On Saturday (July 11) the Daily Express have Stoke ready to splash out another £4million, this time for the services of Richard Dunne. The Manchester City defender’s place looks almost certain to be swallowed up by the cash-crazy antics at Eastlands, and he could be forced to move on. Sunderland are also thought to be interested in the Republic of Ireland international and it is suggested that both they and the Potters have had their bids accepted. Only a day after telling all and sundry that M’bia was seriously considering a move to the Potteries, the Daily Mirror now say that the midfield man has agreed a deal to join Marseille. No deal has yet been done, but Pulis could find it tricky to try to sell the lower reaches of the Premier League to a player with an apparent opportunity to challenge for the major honours in France, and of course play in the Champions League. By Stephen Orford 13 July 2009
