Fuller move looks likely after bid accepted

[Hortical]

Is this the last chapter in this saga?

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Fuller move looks likely after bid accepted
28 January 2011 153 views No Comment

By Nick Porter, James Drakeford and Elliot Richardson: Tony Pulis has confirmed that striker Ricardo Fuller could be leaving the Potters before the transfer window closes on Monday (January 31).

The Stoke boss indicated that several clubs have shown interest in the striker.

“There are a few teams interested. Sunderland have made a bid and the clubs are in talks.

“Ric has done fantastic for this club, he has been here for five years, and we have a responsibility to help him.”

Fuller joined Stoke in 2006 from Southampton, costing £500,000. Speculation about the future of the 31-year-old Jamaican has increased after the loan signing of John Carew from Aston Villa last week.

“For the money we have paid, he has been one of the most outstanding this club has ever had.”

The striker’s time at Stoke has not been without controversy. He received a straight red card in 2008 for an on-field incident with team mate Andy Griffin, and Pulis admitted that he has had his differences with Fuller.

“Our five years have not been without arguments, but he is not just a player of mine, but a friend.

“He has to think of his future, and if a move is right for him then I will help.”

Pulis said he is still hoping for some last minute business in the January transfer window.

“We are trying to wheel and deal to get us through the next 14 or 15 games. It is hard because everyone wants to loan, not buy.”

Stoke travel to Molineux on Sunday for a fourth round FA Cup tie with Wolves.

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_...-bid-accepted/

[Don1]

don't see how this article justifies the headline

[Assasin]

them say a "friend" f "friend".

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Stoke City: Sunderland have bid for Ricardo Fuller

Stoke City: Sunderland have bid for Ricardo Fuller, says Pulis

By Stoke City Martin Spinks

TONY Pulis has claimed for the first time that Sunderland did make an offer for Ricardo Fuller as the Jamaican's transfer saga limps towards its conclusion.

Pulis says he sympathises with Fuller's desire for one last pay day and revealed the striker had asked to speak to the Wearsiders.

Sunderland are consistently playing down their interest in the 31-year-old ahead of Monday's 11pm transfer deadline. But Pulis tried to breathe fresh life into the deal by insisting: "Sunderland have made an offer and both clubs are talking.

"But it isn't just Sunderland. One or two clubs have rung up about Ric.

"We've sat down and spoken about it. He knows the score.

"Ric has done fantastic for this club. He's got a certain amount of time left on his contract (17 months) and if someone comes in and makes a worldly offer which benefits him for the rest of his life, and we can't match it, then we have a responsibility to the lad.

"If we think it is beneficial for us, as well as Ric, then we'll get the deal done.

"He's earning decent enough money at Stoke, but there's other things that come into it.

"Ric has a life after football and he's not one to go into coaching or management. He's a different animal; he's talking about buying nightclubs, discos and music centres," he quipped.

And Pulis insisted he would be happy to see his maverick striker stay.

"He's a pain in the backside, but a great lad," he grinned. "There's been arguments and fall-outs over the years because Ric is Ric.

"If nothing happens and he's still here, I'll be doing somersaults."

Meanwhile, Fuller has returned to training after a bout of flu earlier in the week and could figure in tomorrow's FA Cup clash at Wolves (1pm).