Pulis steps up interest in Tottenham ace

The Daily Mail is reporting that Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is preparing a bid for Tottenham forward Peter Crouch.

Pulis has been searching for a experienced Premier League striker all summer and has identified £10 million rated Crouch as his number one target.

The former Liverpool man looks set to struggle for a starting spot at White Hart Lane next season with Spurs chasing Emmanuel Adebayor and Pulis wants to offer him guaranteed first team football.

It’s been a frustrating summer already for the Potters boss who has already seen a move for West Ham’s Carlton Cole collapse and talks with Birmingham’s Cameron Jerome stall.

Stoke failed to match the wages of both players and with Crouch picking up around £70,000-a-week it may take a sizeable chunk out of Pulis’ budget if he were to land the Spurs man.

30-year-old Crouch has also been linked with a move to former club QPR although they and Stoke wouldn’t be able to offer regular European football to a man who has performed at the highest level.

The England regular has played and scored vital goals in the Champions League and it is doubtful that a move to Stoke will appeal to him as he requires regular European action.