Keeper In, Keeper Out?

Last updated : 14 January 2010 By Dan Buxton

News reports everywhere are linking Stoke with David James, with latest reports suggesting the stopper is dotting the i's and crossing the t's on a six month loan deal with the Potters whilst a deal taking Thomas Sorenson to Bayern Munich is also reportedly at the same stage.

James, who hopes to earn a place in Fabio Capello's England World Cup squad, has been out injured for most of the season but has returned to full fitness recently but Portsmouth's lowly league position and financial nightmare has seen the experienced stopper look to move on.

Sorenson has been a consistent performer since his bargain free transfer arrival following promotion in 2008, and recent player rankings had the keeper as the third best stopper in Europe. His longing for European football has seen him linked with Bayern and although he has recently stated that he wants to play in Europe, but for Stoke, the lure of one last big move has apparently proved too much.

Stoke will most likely tie up the transfer of James before allowing Sorenson to leave if these deals are as advanced as the press appear to be making them out to be and James could make his debut in Saturdays massive game against his former club, struggling Liverpool.