Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke complete signing of Ipswich striker Jon Walters for £2.75m
Stoke have completed one of the summer's longest-running transfer sagas with the £2.75million purchase of Ipswich forward Jon Walters.[LNB]The player travelled to the Britannia Stadium after the two clubs finally thrashed out a deal, meaning QPR boss Neil Warnock missed out after his weekend attempt to hijack the move.[LNB]Walters, who scored eight goals in the Championship last season, said: 'It's always good to know that a manager has that faith in your ability and that was certainly an influence on my decision to come here.[LNB] On the move: Jon Walters in action for Ipswich against Middlesbrough earlier this month[LNB]'I am excited about moving here and it is the fulfilment of a long-term goal of mine to get back into the Premier League. I had a sniff of it in my time at Bolton, but I knew that in dropping down the leagues, it would take a lot of hard work to get back there one day.[LNB]Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: 'I have been looking to bring more goals to the squad and Jon certainly fits that bill.[LNB]'He has been one of the outstanding performers in the Championshipover the past three years and I am confident the lad can make the samesort of impact in the Premier League now that he has been given thisopportunity.[LNB]'The fact that he is versatile will increase competition for places in the squad which is something we have been looking to achieve.[LNB]The Tractor Boys are also on the brink of saying farewell to another two strikers, Jon Stead and Pablo Counago.[LNB]The main man: Ipswich boss Roy Keane[LNB]Former England Under-21 star Stead has had second thoughts aboutjoining Bristol City and is discussing a £250,000 move to Ashton Gate.[LNB]Stead turned down both City and Blackpool in recent weeks but isclose to agreeing a deal after being offered improved personal terms.[LNB]Spanish striker Counago, frozen out at Portman Road after a bust-up with boss Roy Keane, is set to join Championship rivals Crystal Palace on loan.[LNB]Ironically, the two clubs face each other at Selhurst Park on Saturday and there is likely to be an agreement in place that Counago sits out the game.[LNB]Both Stead and Counago were among eight players transfer-listed this summer by Keane as he looked to trim the club's wage bill and raise funds for his own reinforcements.[LNB]He would have preferred to keep Birkenhead-born Walters but the player has been looking to get away all summer, preferably to his native North West.[LNB]When Walters reinforced his desire to move on it led to a breakdown in relations between the pair. Walters was not only stripped of the captaincy but told he would never play for Ipswich again as long as Keane was manager.[LNB]Now Keane will be looking to spend a large chunk of the incoming cash to supplement his squad.[LNB]A £750,000 move for Wigan striker Jason Scotland is already in the pipeline but the Latics have put the deal on hold while they seek reinforcements of their own.[LNB]Keane is also likely to step up his interest in Cardiff striker Michael Chopra, a long-term target who might be available now that the Bluebirds have clinched the loan capture of Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy.[LNB] QPR set to offer £4m for Ipswich's Walters but striker is eyeing top flightIpswich 1 Burnley 1: Clarets leave it late to steal point off Tractor Boys[LNB] [LNB]
