linkSCHOLES SCOTCHES £5M SHOLA CLAIM
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09:40 - 29 March 2008
Stoke's hierarchy have dismissed an astonishing outburst from Norwich boss Glenn Roeder in which he claimed City were committed to a £5m deal for Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi if they win promotion.Roeder - peeved at missing out on Ameobi himself - appeared to disclose the details of a sensitive agreement between Stoke and Newcastle over a long-term deal for the former England under-21 striker.
He claimed Dennis Wise, Newcastle's executive football director, had spilled the beans over the details of Ameobi's loan move to Stoke.
"If he (Wise) is telling me the truth," Roeder griped, "Stoke have paid an incredible amount of money for a short period of time that is attached to potentially a £5m transfer deal.
"I have to take him for his word. I know Dennis reasonably well and that's what he was telling me. I am not obliged to say what Stoke's business is with Newcastle, but it is mind boggling the amount of money he has told me that Stoke have gambled for Shola to get them in the Premiership."
But Stoke's chief executive Tony Scholes, while not dismissing the possibility of a gentleman's agreement for Ameobi's long-term services, has rubbished the figures being banded about by Roeder.
"There is the possibility of a permanent deal, but not at the numbers being quoted," he said.
"We are not going to discuss the terms of any future deal except to say I don't know where Glenn Roeder has got his numbers from.
"They are not the numbers we have talked about and are certainly not what we will be paying."
City boss Tony Pulis has admitted that both Ameobi and Derby midfielder Stephen Pearson could become permanent signings in the summer.
The pair were primed for their City debuts at Sheffield Wednesday today after being snapped up on loan for the rest of the season.
And now Pulis has thrown down the gauntlet to both players to demonstrate their value to the cause over the final six games, at least, now remaining in Stoke's potentially historic season.
"We've now got a couple of months to work together and see how they go," said Pulis. "It's an ideal opportunity for us to get to know them and vice-versa, but obviously the main task is to help us get the results we want over these last six games."
Both will command seven-figure transfers after already costing loan fees to secure their temporary services on hire.
Pearson's signing was only confirmed yesterday morning - some 17 hours after Thursday's 5pm deadline for emergency loans - to leave Pulis sweating on his arrival.
Pulis declined to comment on the delay, but revealed that the 25-year-old Scottish international had long been in his sights.
"I think he's a quality player, first and foremost," he said. "We tried to sign him when he went from Celtic to Derby in January last year, but just missed out after being in the race for him.
"I've watched him a few times since and kept a close eye on his progress.
"He's an extra player for us at a very important time of the season, one who can play inside or outside in midfield.
"He's left-footed - and you can never have too many of them around in your squad. He's got good legs, can get forward and can get you a goal or two."
But Pulis will be hoping Pearson doesn't have to repeat last season's feat of scoring the winner in Derby's play-off final win over West Bromwich Albion.
"I suppose that shows he's got a head for the big occasion," added the City boss, "but everyone will be hoping it doesn't have to come to that."
