http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...Crouch-will-not-be-joining-article784152.html Tony Pulis is stepping up his attempts to sign Joey Barton and Nicklas Bendtner - but has admitted defeat in the battle to bring Peter Crouch. Stoke boss Pulis has offered Newcastle midfielder Barton a lucrative deal that would make him the club's highest-paid player. Barton is available on a free transfer and the Potters have moved to head off potential interest from Arsenal by dangling a £55,000-a-week deal in front of the controversial star. The England international, 28, has encouraged Stoke after Pulis held initial talks with his agent and will press ahead with the deal on Friday. Stoke have also tabled a £7.5million offer for Arsenal striker Bendtner as they prepare for a frantic end to the summer transfer window. The Denmark international, 23, has been told he can leave the Gunners and Pulis believes the cocky forward can repair his reputation in the Potteries. Pulis firmed up his interest in Bendtner after failing to persuade Spurs and England striker Crouch to move north from London. Crouch has no desire to leave White Hart Lane - and his £70,000-a-week wages also presented a massive problem to Stokeâs money-men. Although Crouch's Spurs team-mate Wilson Palacios is still on Pulis' radar, the Potters boss is putting everything into getting Barton on board. "In a way, it is a little easier closer to the deadline, because people are more prepared to come," said Stoke chairman Peter Coates. âWe want to strengthen the team, but I canât say at this stage just who those players will be."
Well I think this is pretty constructive, but until it all unfolds we wont know! While I rate Crouch highly and think he is better than Bentdner, I would rather ivest the money in a 23 year old who can retain his value and also has the potential to develope further. I think Crouch is as good as he is going to get, expensive for our club and again would not help to reduce our ageing squad! I think Barton woudl be great, but like I said on another thread, I think breaking the wage structure for a charachter of his type may rasie a few eyebrows within the dressin room!
Smither's Agree with you that Crouch I wasn't bothered either way. Bendtner yep, why not give the guy the chance to start every game for us. Whilst Barton was a total tosser to do some of the things he did do. He is WAY better than ANYTHING we have in that area right now so, I HOPE this comes off! Who knows? one minute he's training with/could play for Newcastle this weekend then.... puzzled but it does seem to hold some substance. And, he's on a free or am I wrong in thinking that?
No your right he is free! I think Barton (the player) would be an excellent siging and like I said I think a young Bendtner would be a better investment than Crouch! Lets hope they happen, but would still like to see a bit more pace in our future signings, but if we get them two the chance is the next one will have to be a holding player to balance out!
Sorry guys but although I agree Barton is an excellent midfielder, he is a complete tw@t, and ruin any kind of team spirit we have going on. He's a thug and a racist and I think Ricky Fuller would deck him soon as he walked in, so that's a NO from me. Bendtner would be a great signing though IMO. Much rather have Gibson, and I still think we'll get him.
