I Love Stoke City

Stoke City are ready to bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole. Stoke are contemplating lodging a bid of £9-10 million up front plus a further £4 million worth of add-ons, which will be based upon their success with Cole in the side.

Stoke were one of the first clubs to be linked with Cole earlier in the summer, but talk of an £8 million bid a month ago was never going to persuade West Ham to sell.

The Hammers value Cole at £15 million as strikers demand a premium price, but with no takers so far the East London club revised their asking figure down to £12 million.

Stoke City are coming closest to meeting that asking price, even though £4 million will be based on Cole’s appearances and how well Stoke do as a club.

The race for Cole is sure to hot up with Stoke now making the sort of offer that could tempt West Ham to sell. Having brought in four new players, West Ham need to start balancing the transfer books.

Stoke are in advanced negotiations with West Ham over the transfer of Carlton Cole and also hope to sign the striker’s team-mate Mark Noble.

Stoke are in the market for a new striker this summer as they prepare to offload James Beattie and Dave Kitson, and their manager Tony Pulis is a long-term admirer of Cole.

Stoke, Fulham and Birmingham were all reported to have bids rejected by West Ham for the 26-year-old a fortnight ago, with the Hammers placing a £15million price tag on the former Chelsea youngster.

Potters chairman Peter Coates immediately ruled out the prospect of paying £15million for a player this summer but the club have remained in negotiations with West Ham and are close to agreeing a deal worth around £12million, with the initial payment and future add-ons yet to be decided. Dave Kitson could also be offered as a makeweight.

Stoke City are again reported to be weighing up a move for Town skipper Jon Walters. The Potters were strongly linked with the 26-year-old in August 2008 but despite making an enquiry and reports claiming multiple bids, no offer was ever made.

Peter Reid, Stoke’s assistant manager, was at Portman Road on Sunday to watch the Republic of Ireland B international in action, having been at St James’ Park for the Newcastle match the previous week, with a £4 million bid said to be in the offing.

Walters, who is contracted to the Blues until 2012, became Town’s skipper earlier in the season with manager Roy Keane a big fan.

Last week Keane hinted that the club might have received some interest in the former Bolton and Blackburn trainee: “I think Jon Walters has been amazing this year, his captaincy has been excellent and he’s been a joy to work with – his leadership skills in the dressing room when we were under the cosh and last weekend, aside from his goal, he was outstanding.