This is my first post for a while, perhaps unsurprisingly Ive found little time to sit behind a computer screen over the Christmas/New Year period, but now those festivities are behind usI can get back to whats important, writing about who Stoke are going to sign in the transfer window. With recent form dire and player morale likely to be atrock bottom following the Fuller incident at West Ham, fresh blood is definitely neededin the squad. The goalkeeper position, where Thomas Sorensen is doing an excellent job and Steve Simonsen provides a decent deputy, is really the only one where we will not be looking to bring in players, butat least one new striker, a centre midfielder and a pacy winger must be a priority. Below is a lowdown on all the prospective moves we have been linked with in the last couple of weeks, which Ill update as new information emerges.Miles AddisonAge: 19Position: Central Midfielder/Centre BackNationality: EnglishClub: Derby CountyFormer Clubs: NoneInternational Caps: NoneLikely Price: 2 millionOther Interested Clubs: NoneStoke were linked with Addison back in November but then Derby manager Paul Jewell claimed the player was not for sale. Jewell has since left Derby though and the deal may be back on.James BeattieAge: 30Position: ForwardNationality: EnglishClub: Sheffield UnitedFormer Clubs: Blackburn, Southampton, EvertonInternational Caps: 5 no goalsLikely Price: 2.5 millionOther Interested Clubs: HullStoke and Hull were reportedly interested in Beattie, who was the second top scorer in the Championship last season, and also scored Sam Martin Jersey an own goal in Stokes 3-0 win at Bramhall Lane. Hecostthe Blades 4 million two years ago, butEverton splashed out 6 million to land his signature in 2005. It has been rumoured that a Stoke player will move to Sheffield United as part of the deal, with Richard Cre swell being a likely candidate. DEVELOPMENT 9/1/09 Stoke have had a bid of 2.5 million accepted for Beattie and he has been discu sing a contract at the Britannia Stadium where talks are said to be in advanced stages. DEVELOPMENT 10/1/09 The deal has been stalled by a problem with Beatties leaving settlement from Sheffield United, meanwhile he has been struck by the bout of flu that so often affects players who seem to be on their way out of clubs. Danny Pugh and former Blade Michael Tonge are now being rumoured to be the player heading in the other direction if the deal goes through. DEVELOPMENT 12/1/09 The Mirror is claiming Stoke have set a deadline of today for the deal to be completed if it is to be. DEVELOPMENT 12/1/09 Beattie has completed his move to Stoke, putting pen to paper on a two and a half year deal for a fee that could eventually rise to 3.5 million. No Stoke player moves in the other direction.Andre BikeyAge: 23Position: Centre Back/Right BackNationality: CameroonianClub: ReadingFormer Clubs: Espanyol, Pacos de Ferreira, Shinnik Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv MoscowInternational Caps: 15 2 goalsLikely Price: 1.5-2 millionOther Interested Clubs: NoneBikey, who was rumoured to be a Stoke target two weeks ago would join up with former teammates Dave Kitson and Ibrahima Sonko if he moved to Stoke, but I believe this deal is unlikely to go through, and is probably an example of journalists thinking, I know, lets link a big African player with Stoke.Jean CalvAge: 24Position: Right BackNationality: FrenchClub: AS NancyFormer Clubs: Sochaux, Le MansInternational Caps: NoneLikely Price: 1-2 millionOther Interested Clubs: NoneThe right back moved to Nancy last year but has failed to make an impre sion at the club. It has been rumoured that Stoke scouts have picked him out as a potential target. DEVELOPMENT 15/1/09 Calves agent has confirmed that Stoke and Blackburn have both made approaches for the player, for whom Nancy would accept a bid of 1 million. DEVELOPMENT 20/1/09 Blackburn seem to be edging ahead in the race to sign Calve. DEVELOPMENT 22/1/09 Blackburn have decided not to continue their interest after an unsucce sful trial.Henri CamaraAge: 31Position: ForwardNationality: SenegaleseClub: Wigan AthleticFormer Clubs: Strasbourg, Xamax, Gra shopper Zurich, Sedan, Wolves, Celtic, Southampton, West HamInternational Caps: 99 29 goalsLikely Price: 500,000Other Interested Clubs: NoneOf all the players Stoke have been linked with, Camara seems most likely to end up playing for the club. He is surplus to requirements at Wigan, despite his decent goalscoring record and will be allowed to leave the club in a cut-price deal if Wigan are able to complete the signing of Columbian forward Hugo Rodallega this week. Stoke seems to be the most likely destination as a move for Camara fell through back in the summer and Camara has said he is keen to link up with his compatriots Abdoulaye Faye, Salif Diao, Amdy Faye and Ibrahima Sonko. DEVELOPMENT 7/1/09 Camara denies he has yet been in contact with Stoke regarding a Drew Lock Jersey potential move. DEVELOPMENT 12/10/09 Wigan have now been granted a work permit for Rodallega so expect things to start moving regarding Camara shortly.I siar DiaAge: 21Position: Winger/ForwardNationality: SenegaleseClub: AS NancyFormer Clubs: Amiens SCInternational Caps: 6 1 goalLikely price: 3-5 millionOther Interested Clubs: Marseille, NantesThe small and nippy winger is rated as one of, if not the best young player in French football today and was linked with stoke in strange circumstances, Dias international teammate defender Ibrahima Sonko telling the pre s that he had urged Pulis to go get him. I certainly hope Pulis takes Sonkos advice as from what Ive read about Dia he is destined to become a truly excellent player.Lamine DiattaAge: 33Position: Centre BackNationality: SenegaleseClub: NoneFormer Clubs: Toulouse, Marseilles, Stade Rennais, Lyon, St. Etienne, Besiktas, NewcastleInternational Caps: 40 3 goalsLikely Price: FreeOther Interested Clubs: NoneDiatta, who has been a free agent since leaving Newcastle in May is currently on trial at Stoke, and it will be up to Tony Pulis whether or not he wishes to add a fifth Senegalese Colo sus to SCFC and offer Diatta a contract. DEVELOPMENT 11/1/09 In interview Diatta claims he is hopeful of gaining a contract at Stoke. DEVELOPMENT 14/1/09 Diatta is so stay on for a second weeks trial at Stoke after Tony Pulis declared himself satisfied with what hes seen. DEVELOPMENT 19/1/09 Though nothing official has been said, it is being reported that Stoke will not offer Diatta a contract.Aruna DindaneAge: 28Position: ForwardNationality: IvorianClub: RC LensFormer Clubs: ASEC Mimosas, AnderlechtInternational Caps: 40 14 goalsLikely Price: 3-4 millionOther Interested Clubs: Marseille, Tottenham, Porstmouth, West Brom, Stade Rennais, Paris Saint GermainDindane, who is arguably the most exciting of the players linked with Stoke, would be an excellent signing. Marseille seem favourites to sign him though, so dont hold your breath on this one. DEVELOPMENT 12/1/09 Some sources claim Stoke are perparing to bid6 million for Dindane, particularly if the deal for James Beattie falls through.Haminu DramaniAge: 22Position: Right Wing/Forward/Right BackNationality: GhanaianClub: Lokomotiv MoscowFormer Clubs: Heart Of Lions, Crvena Zvezda,GenclerbirligiInternational Caps: 27 3 goalsLikely Price: 1.5-2.5 millionOther Interested Clubs: NoneDramani was close to signing on loan to Stoke back in August but the deal fell through because Lokomotiv decided they wanted to keep him until the end of the Ru sian season, which was in November. A permanent deal now looks po sible.Matthew EtheringtonAge: 27Position: Left WingNationality: EnglishClub: West HamFormer Clubs: Peterborough, Bradford, TottenhamInternational Caps: NoneLikely Price: 3 millionOther Interested Clubs: NoneStop the pre ses! Stoke interested in a white player! Etherington would solve our left wing problem nicely and with a checkered history of gambling problems and injuries would fit well with Pulis reputation of giving players a fresh start. This is as yet just a rumour though and nothing substantiated. DEVELOPMENT 6/1/09 Something substantiated has now emerged, with Radio Stoke reporting that Etherington has been at the Britannia Stadium discu sing a contract. This looks like it could be our first signing of the window. DEVELOPMENT 7/1/09 Many sources are claiming Etherington has agreed to a three year deal at Stoke and the signing will be announcedin the next Steve Atwater Jersey couple of days. The fee is reportedly around 4 million which would make him our second most expensive player ever. DEVELOPMENT 8/1/09 Etherington has become our first signing of the window, joining on a contract until summer 2012 for an undisclosed fee, reported to be 3 million.FredAge: 25Position: ForwardNationality: BrazilianClub: LyonFormer Clubs: America Mineiro, CruzeiroInternational Caps: 9 5 goalsLikely Price: LoanOther Interested Clubs: TottenhamThe delightfully named forward is said to be keen to move away from Lyon and back to Brazil, but no Brazilian club can afford him at present, so he will look to move out on loan until his contract expires in the summer and he becomes a free agent. He has confirmed that Stoke have made a loan approach for him and is currently considering the offer. Lets hope he decides its a yes, as this would be a majour coup for us. DEVELOPMENT 20/1/09 The interview published with Fred claiming he is deliberating on an offer to move to Stoke has very frustratingly been revealed to be a hoax and the player says he has not spoken to the club.Andy GrayAge: 31Position: ForwardNationality: ScottishClub: Charlton AthleticFormer Clubs: Leeds, Bury, Nottingham Forest, Preston, Oldham, Bradford, Sheffield United, Sunderland, BurnleyInternational Caps: 2 no goalsLikely Cost: LoanOther Interested Clubs: NoneThe Daily Mail are linking Stoke with a bizarre loan move for ageing Championship level striker Gray. I wouldnt discount it though as the Mail always has good information on Stoke as it is published in the same place as the Sentinel. I cant in any way get excited about this one though, maybe if it was still 2006 and we were still in the Championship. DEVELOPMENT 15/1/09 Gray says despite interest from Stoke he will remain at Charlton.Aron Gunnar sonAge: 19Position: Centre MidfieldNationality: IcelandicClub: Coventry CityFormer Clubs: AZ AlkmaarInternational Caps: 4 no goalsLikely Price: 1-2millionOther Interested Clubs: Everton, CelticGunnar son is a talented young Icelandic midfielder, famed for his long throw, who would become the first signing from the nation to play for Stoke since the clubs Icelandic owners left in 2006.Marlon HarewoodAge: 29Position: ForwardNationality: EnglishClub: Aston VillaFormer Clubs: Nottingham Forest, FC Haka, Ipswich, West HamInternational Caps: NoneLikely Price: 2 millionOther Interested Clubs: NonePulis is a long time admirer of Harewood, who has never been more than a fringe player at Villa. Villa are keen to sell him to make way for the addition of another striker to the squad, po sibly Wigans Emile Heskey. DEVELOPMENT 7/1/09 Harewoods agent denies Stoke have been in contact regarding the player, and emphasises that while Harewood is happy at Villa, he would like to play more regular football, though it would have to be a permanent move rather than aloan one for him to leave Villa Park.Sami HyypiaAge: 35Position: Centre BackNationality: FinnishClub: LiverpoolFormer Clubs: MyPa, Willem IIInternational Caps: 95 5 goalsLikely Price: 2 millionOther Interested Clubs: Fulham, Sunderland, Blackburn, TottenhamHyypia has fallen down the pecking order afternearly a decade at Liverpool and Stoke areamong several clubs interested in adding the experienced defender to their squads.Joe LedleyAge: 21Position: Left Wing/Central MidfielderNationality: WelshClub: Cardiff City, West HamFormer Clubs: NoneInternational Caps: 24 2 goalsLikely Price: 7 Brandon McManus Jersey millionOther Interested Clubs: Everton, TottenhamCardiff rebuffed bids of 5 and 6 million from Stoke this summer but a bid of 7 million could be too good to refuse. Despite Cardiff doing their utmost to hold onto Ledley, he made it clear in the summer that he was keen on a Premier League move. DEVELOPMENT 6/1/09 Spurs now look favourites to sign Ledley, which may explain Stokes attempts to sign Etherington. DEVELOPMENT 22/1/09 West Ham are now being heavily linked with an 8 million move for Ledley.Adam LallanaAge: 20Position: Centre Midfielder/Attacking MidfielderNationality: EnglishClub: SouthamptonFormer Clubs: BournemouthInternational Caps: NoneLikely Price: 2-4 millionOther Interested Clubs: Tottenham, FulhamLallana is a young player who is destined for big things and would in my opinion be a quality signing for Stoke. He has been linked with a move to the Potteries alongside Southampton teammate Andrew Surman.Razak Omotoyo siAge: 23Position: ForwardNationality: Beninese/NigerianClub: Al NasrFormer Clubs: Sunshine Stars, ASJA, JS Pobe, FC Sheriff, HelsingborgsInternational Caps: Benin 16 8 goalsLikely Price: LoanOther Interested Clubs: NoneOmotoyo si, who finished as top scorer in the Swedish league last year, is an extremely strong and powerful striker, who is said to be looking for a move to England after failing to settle in Saudi Arabia. Stoke have been strongly linked with a loan move for him, a work permit not being nece sary for such a deal.Quincy Tom Jackson Jersey Owusu-AbeyieAge: 22Position: Forward/Left WingNationality: Dutch/GhanaianClub: Spartak MoscowFormer Clubs: Arsenal, Celta de Vigo, BirminghamInternational Caps: Ghana: 9 1 goalLikely Price: Loan with view to 2.5 million moveOther Interested Clubs: TottenhamQuincy, whose potential move to Stoke was touted in the pre s just this morning spent the first half of the season on loan at Birmingham, but they were unable to extend his loan due to financial restraints. Another good young player for us to be linked with. DEVELOPMENT 14/1/09 Quicny is training with Spurs with a view to earning a move there.Andrew SurmanAge: 22Position: Cente MidfielderNationality: English/South AfricanClub: SouthamptonFormer Clubs: Walsall, BournemouthInternational Caps: NoneLikely Price: 2-4 millionOther Interested Clubs: Wolves, ReadingAnother good young player produced by Southampton, Surman has been linked with Stoke for a while. While he seems set for a big move in the future, Surman claims he is currently happy at Southampton, making a move look unlikely at this time.Lee WilliamsonAge: 26Position:Centre MidfielderNationality: Jamaican/EnglishClub: WatfordFormer Clubs: Mansfield, Northampton, RotherhamInternational Caps: NoneLikely Price: 2-3 millionOther Interested Clubs: NoneStoke have been rumoured to be interested in Williamson in the last few days but nothing at all concrete has emerged from it.With a number of players linked with Stoke looking like excellent potential signings, Dia, Ledley andDindanestanding out, I would hopewe are able to bring in as many of the above as po sible as at present, we really do need something to revitalise the side after recent lacklustre performances.