Stoke End Žigić Interest As Pizarro Is Touted As Alternative

  Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes today appeared on BBC Radio Stoke and announced that the club have pulled out of the current negotiations to sign 6’8” Valencia and Serbia striker Nikola Žigić.

  Talks for the player had been ongoing for several days and Scholes had flown to Valencia to speak with the club but the talks appear to have stalled with it appearing that Valencia were keen to sell Žigić but Stoke were more eager to complete a loan move for the prolific striker.

  It is rumoured though, that the deal is not yet dead in the water and has been suggested, particularly due to the wording used by Scholes that the Potters may well yet turn their attention back to Žigić, possibly seeking a signing on a permanent basis, rather that the preffered loan.

  Meanwhile, Stoke have been reported to be looking at taking Chelsea’s Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro on a year’s loan as an alternative to Žigić. The fee for the loan would reportedly be in the region of £4 million. Pizarro, who has also attracted interest from Hull, moved to chelsea a year ago on a free transfer after being released by Bayern Munich. He had a difficult time during his first season in English football, despite scoring on the first day of last season in a 3-2 home victory over Birmingham. He went on to make just 21 appearances, the majority as a substitute, and scored just once more all season.

                                              

  On the face of it, I think Žigić would be the better acquisition although I would readily welcome Pizarro to Stoke. Pizarro’s poor form last season doesn’t immediately bode well, however it must be remembered the success Stoke and Tomy Pulis have had in the past when signing seemingly down on their luck players. Remember the impacts made by Salif Diao and Lee Hendrie two years ago? Players who are out of favour at their parent clubs often peform best on loan, as they are playing for their managers’ affections, and to prove they have what it takes to compete at the very top level.

  If this saga ends with Stoke securing either one of the players, I would be a very happy Stokie.