Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa's John Carew in Stoke talks
Stoke are closing on a deal for Aston Villa striker JohnCarew with Eidur Gudjohnsen heading for Ajax and Ricardo Fuller wanted bySunderland and Birmingham.Carew was due to hold talks with West Brom yesterday butheaded to Stoke where he underwent a medical ahead of a proposed six monthloan.Sunderland are in pole position for Fuller but Stoke wantclose to £5million for the 31-year-old and the player is understood to beholding out for wages of around £55,000 a week.That is likely to rule out Birmingham who have alsoexpressed an interest in the Jamaican and in Stoke's Turkish striker Tuncay. Up for grabs: Norway striker John Carew is set to leave Aston VillaSunderland remain keen but will look to strike a dealaround £3m with Fuller's long-term fitness sure to figure in negotiations.Gudjohnsen, 32, has had a difficult time at Stoke but isclose to agreeing a deal to link up with Frank de Boer where he could replaceLiverpool target Luis Suarez.Stoke look likely to drop their interest in Hoffenheim'sDemba Ba but have discussed the possibility of bringing in his teammateGhanaian winger Prince Tagoe. Target: Ricardo Fuller (second left)Assistant manager Dave Kemp said: 'Carew has met themanager, there's been discussions, but that doesn't mean the deal is done. Withtransfers these days it's not cut and dried with one conversation - that'swhere we're at with this one.'On Ba, Kemp added:'He's not fit to play right now and we want players that can play right now,come in and make an impression, and I don't think he's in a position to do that.That's not to say the deal couldn't be resurrected some time in the future, butI don't think it will be done in the foreseeable future.'Carew is out of contract at Villa Park at the end of theseason. West Bromwich want Aston Villa's striker Carew for Blackburn clashDeath threats aimed at Bent as fall-out rumbles on over Villa's £24m signingSunderland ready to land £3m-rated Stoke striker Fuller to replace BentNewcastle look to rescue unsettled star Ireland from Aston Villa nightmare Explore more:People: Eidur Gudjohnsen Places: Birmingham