Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has revealed that he is still not happy with his squad and wants to sign a couple of players before the end of the transfer window. Stoke have been one of the two clubs so far in this summer transfer window after signing the likes of Steve Sidwell and Phil Bardsley on free transfers. Hughes has been trying to work within the budget. Since players like Sidwell have come on a free transfer, he will be having funds to spend before the end of the summer transfer window. One of the most important signings has been Stephen Ireland, who has joined the club on a permanent basis.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder spent the last season on loan from Aston Villa where he was an outcast. Stoke agreed a deal with Villa to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis. Ireland was an integral part of the team last season. Stoke have been negotiating a deal for Ossie Assaidi, who spent the last season on loan from Liverpool. He was one of the best players last season and Liverpool currently value the player at around £ 7 million. Chief executive Tony Scholes has revealed that the club are in negotiations for a winger and that they would ideally like to conclude the transfer dealings in the next few weeks.
“We are still working on one or two things and, as I’ve said before, we look to do the right business for the right players for the right price. The sooner you can sign players in a summer the better, and we’ve been really pleased with the four deals we’ve managed to do so far. If we are able to do the one or two others we are looking at then that will be great, and maybe we will, maybe we won’t,” said Scholes.