Are Stoke sneaking the signing of Deadline Day from Palace?

Stoke are inching ever closer to finally replacing dominant midfield force Steven N’Zonzi, with a deal for Crystal Palace’s Australian international Mile Jedinak creeping to completion according to reports.

Jedinak, who skippered the Eagles in the Premier League before Alan Pardew and Yohan Cabaye arrived on the scene, has been out of favour in the Londoners’ midfield this term and could well leave the club in order to seek more regular first-team opportunities.

Stoke would certainly offer those, having sold N’Zonzi, the club’s player of the season last term, to Sevilla earlier in the summer.

According to reports on Deadline Day, Mark Hughes has made Jedinak his prime target in central midfield, with the 31-year-old able to screen infront of the defence and chip in with the odd goal or two from dead-ball situations.

When a regular for the Eagles, Jedinak was widely regarded as one of the best players in their side and only the arrival of a proven international in the form of Cabaye has been able to oust him from the Palace first team.

It’s widely expected that the move would be a good one for Stoke. As yet though, there is no indication that the transfer’s completion is imminent, but Stoke are pushing hard to land their man as time ticks by on the last day of silly season.

While Jedinak may yet still arrive at the Britannia Stadium, Jon Walters may yet still leave, with his transfer request last night designed to force a move away from Hughes’ squad.

Norwich and Leicester are the two teams keenest in signing the forward, but as yet, no deal for the Irishman has been concluded.

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