Source: Daily_Mail
James future remains unclear as Stoke boss Pulis reveals new hold-up
Stoke boss Tony Pulis finds himself involved in a case of deja vu surrounding his bid to sign England goalkeeper David James.[LNB]Eight days ago Pulis stood on the brink of recruiting the 39-year-old on loan from Portsmouth for the remainder of the season.[LNB]However, the deal fell through due to an issue over wages as it is understood Stoke were only prepared to pay a portion of James' rumoured £65,000-per-week salary, and only up until the end of the season, rather than the end of his contract in June.[LNB]The deal, though, has since been resurrected, although without aconclusion yet reached, certainly ahead of today's noon deadline whichwould have allowed James to face Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday.[LNB] Safe hands: David James was close to sealing his Stoke switch last week[LNB]'It's exactly the same as last week. We're in a situation where the clubs are trying to do a deal,' said Pulis on James who apparently trained with Portsmouth today. [LNB]'If we were going to do it and wanting him to play on Sunday then we had to do it by noon, which has not been the case, so it takes the pressure off in a lot of respects.'[LNB]Asked if City chief executive Tony Scholes was any further in his negotiations this week with Pompey counterpart Peter Storrie, Pulis replied: 'There's been another hold up. [LNB]'I thought we were close last week and then it got pulled right at the end, and I thought it was close today, but it hasn't happened yet. [LNB]'We are hoping it will be done, but Portsmouth are trying to get the best deal they can, and we're trying to get the best deal we can.[LNB]'I'll certainly be doing my damnedest to bring in David James, and if I can't then I'll look for another goalkeeper.[LNB]'We need three goalkeepers. We need a spare in case we get any injuries over the next two or three months.'[LNB]Pulis has at least been buoyed by the news Thomas Sorensen has thisweek verbally pledged his future to Stoke, despite the speculationsurrounding James.[LNB] Count me in: Thomas Sorensen has verbally pledged his future to Stoke[LNB]'He's fine,' insisted Pulis. 'I've spoken to Thomas, and I think the important thing is we bring competition in because it brings everybody on.' [LNB]Pulis, meanwhile, readily concedes Stoke have now been priced out of the market with regard to Ruud van Nistelrooy.[LNB]Pulis has never played down any link with the Real Madrid striker who it appears is on his way to Hamburg after snubbing a return to the Premier League with either Spurs, Stoke or West Ham, the latter apparently ready to match his £100,000 per week wages.[LNB]'As a football club we have enquired about lots of players, but that doesn't mean we are going to sign them,' remarked Pulis. 'I can't comment on West Ham or the player himself, but £100,000 per week? I don't think so.'[LNB]Ahead of Sunday's third-round tie with Arsenal, Pulis looks set to have a full squad to choose from as Abdoulaye Faye and Rory Delap have recovered from knocks that forced them off in the first half of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool. [LNB] Ruud van Nistelrooy snubs Tottenham, West Ham and Stoke for shock Hamburg switch'Rough and aggressive' Stoke ready oust Arsenal, says striker FullerStoke set to revive James deal as Portsmouth re-open talks over keeperPortsmouth misfit David Nugent refuses to be sold to BurnleySTOKE CITY FC
