Source: FOOTYMAD
Potters Tell Reds To Almost Double Bid For Defender
City want record fee for defender Stoke have reportedly told Liverpool there is £10m bid for skipper Ryan Shawcross is well short of there valuation, and to come back with an £18m offer. Shawcross, a £2m signing from Manchester United in the 2007/8 season, started his 150th game for the Potters in last weeks Europa League victory in Split. The defender has once been called upto Fabio Capello's England squad and has had to show great mental strength to put aside plenty of negative comments and abuse to go from strength to strength at the heart of the City defence. The 24-year-old was handed the captains armband after Abdoulaye Faye fell out of the side at the start of last season and led his side to a comfortable mid table finish and the Potters first ever FA Cup final last term, whilst this campaign has already seen him lead City to their first ever Europeam tie victory and a clean sheet in a hostile environment in Split. Any bid accepted by Stoke will also see Manchester United given the option of matching it as they have first refusal on Shawcross as part of the deal that brought the Chester born star to the Potters.
