Stoke cast their net towards Africa

Stoke City have sent a French based agent to the African Cup of Nations in Ghana to scout around for new players.

Jaouad Boukhari told the French newspaper, Le Parisien: 'Tony Pulis is looking for a strong attacker but he has not found one on the domestic market, I came [to Ghana] for him to do several reports on players with this profile.'

Further related rumours have also linked us with Ghanaian player, Junior Agogo, who is currently playing at the tournament in his home country. The 28 year old striker, who joined Notts Forest from Bristol Rovers in 2006, has scored 10 goals for Forest so far this season and is the second player at The City Ground that we've been linked with in recent days.

IN
Already in the can:
Salif Diao (free agent)
Danny Pugh - Preston North End (£500k)
Andy Griffin - Derby (£300k)
Leon Cort - Crystal Palace (£1.2m)
Ryan Shawcross - Manchester United (£1m rising to £2m)

Just the rumour mill for now:
Glenn Whelan - Sheffield Wed. He has been talked about since the summer and the Owls have just turned down a 'derisory' offer of £250k from Plymouth
Stelios Giannakopoulos - Bolton (£750k?) Megson is a big mate of TP, so who knows..
Marlon Harewood - Aston Villa. Rumours link the Potters to a loan deal for the former Hammers' striker until the end of the season
Neil Lennon - Notts Forest. The former Celtic midfielder is said to have Ipswich after him as well.
Robert Earnshaw - Derby. Stories continue to circulate that he could join us on loan, but a return to Cardiff might be more likely.
Junior Agogo - Nottingham Forest. Currently away playing in the African Cup of Nations
Joel Lindpere - Tromso. The Norwegian press are linking us with this Estonian international midfielder

OUT
and already gone
Peter Sweeney - Leeds United ('nominal fee')
Clint Hill - Crystal Palace. (undisclosed fee)

I'll keep this updated as the month progresses. If you've got any other rumours why not add them below.