The Potters are keeping a close eye on Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones as they search for a target man ready for the start of the 2010/11 season.
Jones, a former Potters loanee from his town at Southampton, was heavily linked with a return to City during both of last seasons transfer windows, but the reported £12m move never got completed, possibly due to Liverpool's interest never being confirmed or denied, leaving the Trinidadian striker unwilling to pursue a deal with the Potters.
A change in management at Liverpool, coupled with their financial problems and Jones' poor form last season has seen the striker's options become somewhat more limited and City boss Tony Pulis is now ready to make his move.
Pulis has decided to look to the Stadium of Light for his targetman after Mama Sidibe continued poor form in front of goal and this summers main target Carlton Cole was ruled out of leaving West Ham by the Hammers owners.