Stoke City - Summer Transfer Speculation

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_7008585,00.html

Skysports.com understands Birmingham have rejected Stoke's joint bid for Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome.

Stoke have identified highly-rated central defender Dann and striker Jerome as two of their top summer transfer targets this summer.

Birmingham are resigned to losing a number of their top stars, following their relegation from the Premier League.

6ft 5in stopper Dann is attracting major interest from a number of clubs with Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa all thought to be chasing the 24-year-old as well as Stoke.

Bolton have been credited with an interest in Jerome with the Trotters believed to have had one offer snubbed for the former Cardiff hit-man.

Stoke have firmed up their interest in Dann and Jerome by tabling a double bid for the pair as they test Birmingham's resolve to hang onto the duo.

However, it is understood that Birmingham have rejected the undisclosed bid for Dann and Jerome from Stoke with a number of clubs thought to be waiting in the wings to move for both players.

http://twitter.com/#!/colintattum/status/85688715497840640

From a Birmingham Mail journalist.

@colintattum
Colin Tattum Stoke City are in strongly for Jerome and Dann, talks ongoing. More detail later/tomorrow #bcfc #blues

http://twitter.com/#!/johnacresbbc/status/85711074283880449

From John Acres.

http://twitter.com/#!/johnacresbbc/status/85711074283880449

@johnacresbbc
John Acres
Hello again tweeps. #SCFC bid around 10 million for #BCFC pair Cameron Jerome and Scott Dann. Details at 1620 and 1720 on BBC Radio Stoke.

http://twitter.com/#!/johnacresbbc/status/85718101785718784

@johnacresbbc
John Acres
#SCFC deny making a 16 million pound bid.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/28/transfer-window-stoke-city-birmingham-city

Birmingham City have received a joint bid in the region of £16m from Stoke City for the defender Scott Dann and the striker Cameron Jerome.

Sources close to Blues have confirmed that "serious conversations" have taken place between the two clubs regarding a possible deal for Dann and Jerome. However, no fee has been agreed for the pair and "negotiations are continuing".

Birmingham are determined to make sure they receive the best possible price for Dann who is regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in the country. He made the move from Coventry City to St Andrew's two summers ago and formed an impressive partnership with Roger Johnson who has also been linked with several clubs.

Dann's absence during the second half of last season, with a hamstring injury suffered in the Carling Cup semi-final against West Ham, was a key reason for City losing their Premier League status.

If he leaves, it will be another major player leaving Birmingham with last season's leading scorer Craig Gardner poised to move to Sunderland in a £5m switch.

Jerome was linked with a £4m move to Stoke during the January transfer window but no deal materialised. He has been with Blues for five years since moving from Cardiff City and was their top scorer in 2009-2010 with 11 Premier League goals.

But last season he often operated as a lone striker as injuries deprived the Blues of other forwards and he went 25 league games without a goal from November. His last league goal was against Stoke in a 3-2 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...plus-if-he-leaves-vow-club-article753604.html

Birmingham will not allow central defender Scott Dann to leave until their full valuation of the player is met, Press Association Sport understands.

Blues have received a joint bid - in the region of £16million - from Stoke for Dann and striker Cameron Jerome.

Sources close to Blues have confirmed that "serious conversations" have taken place between the two clubs regarding a possible deal for Dann and Jerome.

City know they are vulnerable to any Premier League predators following their relegation from the top flight.

But they are determined to get the best possible deal for Dann, who is regarded as one of the best young defenders in the country.

City want in excess of £12million for the 24-year-old, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool.

A source close to Birmingham told Press Association Sport: "There have been serious conversations, and negotiations are continuing, but no fee has been agreed.

"If Dann is to leave, Birmingham are determined to obtain the price they feel is fair for one of the best young defenders in the Premier League.

"His performances over the past two years have been excellent."

 

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...Matt-Mills-ahead-of-Wolves-article753692.html

Stoke are in talks with Reading’s Matt Mills over a £3.5million switch.

The Potters are offering more money than Wolves in the race for the highly-rated defender, who missed out on promotion with the Royals and is now being allowed to leave.

Stoke turned to Mills, 24, after being quoted £12million-plus for Birmingham’s Scott Dann.

But ambitious Leicester are making a late effort to hijack the deal. The Foxes are offering Mills £25,000 a week, which is more than Stoke are willing to pay.

So he now has to decide between cash or a crack at the Premier League. FA Cup Finalists Stoke are still optimistic that Mills will choose them.

 

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http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...ansfer-trio/story-12849304-detail/story.html?

STOKE City have made an initial £3m offer for West Ham striker Carlton Cole in a bid to seal a treble transfer swoop.

The Potters are also in negotiations with Birmingham for Cameron Jerome and Scott Dann over a deal which could start at around £10m – but potentially rise to £16m.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was keen on Cole, pictured below, last summer, but was put off by West Ham's valuation of £12m.

Although their offer starts at £3m, it would rise with appearances and other incentives.

Cole's stock fell dramatically over the last 12 months as the Hammers crashed out of the Premier League.

The 27-year-old scored five league goals in 21 starts and 14 substitute appearances as West Ham finished bottom of the table, though his figures were improved by six cup goals.

Despite Cole's disappointing season, Pulis will feel he can revitalise a striker who was playing for England just 16 months ago.

The City boss has a reputation for reviving careers, having also brought the best out of his wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant.

Cole is widely-tipped to leave Upton Park this summer, along with fellow England internationals Rob Green and Scott Parker, as West Ham count the cost of relegation.

But new boss Sam Allardyce has warned rival clubs that no star names will be allowed to leave cheaply.

Stoke also hope to beat rivals to the signature of Birmingham pair Dann and Jerome.

However, it is understood they are losing patience after lengthy talks, and yesterday submitted a final "take it, or leave it' offer for the duo.

Centre-half Dann has been linked with home-town club Liverpool and Arsenal, but neither are thought to have made a bid for the services of a player who missed the final four months of last season through injury.

The 24-year-old is regarded as a "footballing" centre-half who is comfortable bringing the ball out of defence.

Jerome endured a poor season up front last year, scoring just three league goals in 30 starts and four substitute appearances.

However, the 24-year-old striker was labouring in a side which struggled to create chances.

He was without a regular strike partner because of injuries and also had to play part of the season as a lone striker in a defensive team.

The previous season he scored a useful 10 goals in 32 Premier League appearances.

The industrious former Cardiff striker's pace, strength and willingness to run the channels would also suit Stoke's high-tempo style.

Pulis wants to get his strike-force up to strength, having let both Tuncay and Eidur Gudjohnsen go last season.

He also needs competition for regular pair Kenwyne Jones and Jon Walters, particularly as City are not certain when Ricardo Fuller will be available after rupturing an Achilles tendon in April.

Mama Sidibe will also miss the start of the season having snapped his Achilles tendon, for the sercond time, in February.

 

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http://www.birminghammail.net/birmi...with-fuller-part-of-the-deal-97319-28959983/?

SCOTT Dann and Cameron Jerome could be heading to Stoke City after negotiations with Blues intensified.

Talks are centring around a potential £16million double deal for the defender and striker.

Stoke are also keen on West Ham United frontman Carlton Cole in addition to Jerome as Tony Pulis takes serious steps to bolster his squad.


Stoke are thought to have offered Ricardo Fuller in part-exchange during the various conversations they have had with Blues.

But he ruptured his Achilles tendon last season and isn’t likely to return to action until October.

With a £6million fee now agreed with Sunderland for the sale of Craig Gardner – his medical is due today – the break-up of Blues relegated squad has accelerated.

But Blues have held firm with Stoke and made it clear that Dann and Jerome would only go for more of a premium.

It is unclear the exact value put on either player by Blues, or how much Stoke would be willing to pay.

But £16million as a ball-park figure is believed to be under discussion, following on from a £10million offer that was initially rejected.

Dann has been touted at £10million to £12million already this summer, while Blues told Bolton Wanderers weeks back that £5million wasn’t enough for Jerome.

Liverpool have often been suggested as suitors for Dann and, as a boyhood fan, Anfield would be his dream move. But they have not tabled a formal bid for the 24-year-old.

Stoke’s move for Dann has been viewed as a surprise in some quarters as the Potters have Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth in the ranks.

But they released Abdoulaye Faye at last season’s end, Danny Higginbotham won’t return until October after sustaining a serious knee injury, while Danny Collins has not really impressed.

Huth has also been used at right-back on many occasions by Pulis, and Dann’s on-the-ball ability would provide Stoke with a little more finesse at the back.

Pulis has long been an admirer of Jerome, 24, and tried to sign him in both of the previous two transfer windows.

He envisages Jerome, Kenwyne Jones, Jon Walters and Cole as a pretty handy group to choose from, in keeping with Stoke’s particular way of playing.

 

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11673_7011804,00.html?

Skysports.com understands that Stoke have joined the race for Reading defender Matt Mills.

Wolves and Leicester have so far led the way in pursuit of the 24-year-old centre-half's signature.

Reading have confirmed they have turned down a bid from Wolves while Leicester are believed to be considering a move for Mills.

But Stoke are now thought to be lining up a bid to challenge Premier League rivals Wolves after asking the Royals about their captain.

The Championship outfit are thought to have valued Mills at £4million with Wolves having so far bid in the region of £3m.

But manager Brian McDermott insists they are not looking to cash in on their prized asset.

Mills joined Reading from Doncaster in 2009 for a fee in the region of £2m and last season he helped them reach the play-off final, where they were beaten 4-2 by Swansea.