Tony Pulis is set to raid the West Midlands and take advantage of Birmingham City’s recent down fall into the Championship, and offer Liam Ridgewell, Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner an instant return to the top flight.
Boss Alex Mcleish has been told he must off load his top players in order to clear the clubs debt.
Potters boss, Pulis is looking to strengthen his squad as he prepares for another season in the Premiership. His impressive work in the transfer market since sealing promotion in 2008 is certainly the core reason for Stoke City becoming an established club in England’s top division.
It will cost Stoke an estimated £11 million to land all three men, who find themselves chained to the club for the foreseeable future, for now at least.
Cameron Jerome was on the verge of a move to the Britannia in January, but nothing emerged from a £4million approach made by stoke city, but now they hope to finalise the long awaited deal. Pulis won’t have it all his own way as Bolton look to land the striker who has made 188 appearances hitting the back of the net 41 times in a blue’s shirt.
Craig Gardner, the lifelong Brum fan may not have the opportunity to show his loyalty to his boyhood club, if the £4million gets put on the table for the versatile favourite. After his best season yet, he displayed real character taking games by the scruff of the neck, also finding himself on the score sheet on 10 occasions during his 37 games. Sunderland are also thought to be interested in removing the cog from Birmingham’s midfield and bringing him to the stadium of light.
Mirrorfootball have also reported Stoke are ready to swoop blues 6ft 2” defender Liam Ridgewell for £3million.
Birmingham City look set for a very busy summer in the transfer market, or a VERY tough season in the championship, with players of the above calibre leaving, also the likes of Sebastian Larsson and Rodger Johnson likely to depart, Mcleish will have to work wonders to ensure the club make a rapid return to the prem.
I would certainly expect to see every player mentioned in the premiership next season.
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