Reports in this mornings papers are indicating that England World Cup star Emile Heskey is being closely tracked by Stoke, with manager Tony Pulis looking at the burly frontman as competition for Mama Sidibe.
Despite winning over 50 England cap under many different managers a lot of cluib bosses have steered clear of Heskey due to his lack of goals.
After impressing at Leicester under Martin O'Neill he joined Liverpool for £11m and under the guidance of Gerard Houllier he broke into the England side, replicating his club partnership with Michael Owen for the national side.
After a trophy filled spell at Anfield he joined Birmingham, before joining Wigan and then rejoining up with Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa.
The striker could only find the net once last season and with money to spend, and John Carew playing the same role as Heskey with more goals, Heskey is available and Pulus see's him as the perfect man to replace Sidibe, who has had some erratic performances in the last year and come under fire from supporters.