Stoke boss Tony Pulis finds himself involved in a case of deja vu surrounding his bid to sign England goalkeeper David James.
Eight days ago Pulis stood on the brink of recruiting the 39-year-old on loan from Portsmouth for the remainder of the season. 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.
The deal, though, has since been resurrected, although without a conclusion yet reached. "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 on Friday.
He added: "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."
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.
"I thought we were close last week and then it got pulled right at the end, and I thought it was close, but it hasn't happened yet.
"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.
"I'll certainly be doing my damnedest to bring in David James, and if I can't then I'll look for another goalkeeper.
"We need three goalkeepers. We need a spare in case we get any injuries over the next two or three months."
Source: PA
