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City close in on Austin capture
Tony Pulis has denied Stoke are interested in Morocco striker Bouchaib El-Moubarki but admitted a deal for Rudolph Austin is nearly completed.
El-Moubarki has claimed in the Moroccan press that he is considering a move to the Premier League new boys this summer but Pulis insists there is no chance of him signing the 30-year-old.
The Grenoble forward has been watched by Potters scout Lindsay Parsons, but Pulis insists that has not led to any real interest from the club.
"He's certainly not one I've seen, so I don't see anything happening," he told The Sentinel.
Jamaica international Austin, however, should finally tie up his move to the Britannia Stadium in the coming weeks.
The 22-year-old has twice been denied a work permit to join the Potters in the past but he strengthened his case for one with starts in two World Cup qualifiers last week.
That should be enough to earn Austin a permit, despite Jamaica's world ranking, and Stoke will now wrap up his capture from Portmore United for an undisclosed six-figure fee.
Pulis said: "It's a staggered deal if we do it. It is all based around how well he does over here. As everyone knows, we've had him over a few times to look at him in training and he's looked a decent prospect.
"He's still a young lad and will obviously have to prove himself, but we think he might be worth the chance.
"He's a strong, quick and aggressive type with two good feet, and he can also play in one or two positions."
Austin's Reggae Boyz team-mates Ricardo Fuller and Demar Phillips already ply their trade for City and Pulis believes that will see the new arrival quickly settle in to English life.
Tony Pulis has denied Stoke are interested in Morocco striker Bouchaib El-Moubarki but admitted a deal for Rudolph Austin is nearly completed.
El-Moubarki has claimed in the Moroccan press that he is considering a move to the Premier League new boys this summer but Pulis insists there is no chance of him signing the 30-year-old.
The Grenoble forward has been watched by Potters scout Lindsay Parsons, but Pulis insists that has not led to any real interest from the club.
"He's certainly not one I've seen, so I don't see anything happening," he told The Sentinel.
Jamaica international Austin, however, should finally tie up his move to the Britannia Stadium in the coming weeks.
The 22-year-old has twice been denied a work permit to join the Potters in the past but he strengthened his case for one with starts in two World Cup qualifiers last week.
That should be enough to earn Austin a permit, despite Jamaica's world ranking, and Stoke will now wrap up his capture from Portmore United for an undisclosed six-figure fee.
Pulis said: "It's a staggered deal if we do it. It is all based around how well he does over here. As everyone knows, we've had him over a few times to look at him in training and he's looked a decent prospect.
"He's still a young lad and will obviously have to prove himself, but we think he might be worth the chance.
"He's a strong, quick and aggressive type with two good feet, and he can also play in one or two positions."
Austin's Reggae Boyz team-mates Ricardo Fuller and Demar Phillips already ply their trade for City and Pulis believes that will see the new arrival quickly settle in to English life.
