Bristol City boss Keith Millen says he’s hopeful of signing Town striker Jon Stead. The Robins have been chasing the 27-year-old for some weeks now and have agreed a £225,000 fee with the Blues.
Millen said: "He's someone we've been looking to sign for a while and it looks like we are close now. We hope to conclude a deal early next week."
Town manager Roy Keane confirmed that Bristol City’s bid had been accepted after Saturday’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace and said that there could be news before Monday.
However, Stead is unlikely to leave before the Blues have signed a new striker with the club short on attacking players at present with Connor Wickham injured, Jon Walters and Pablo Couñago moved on and Andros Townsend facing a three-match ban for his sending off.
Keane says he is targeting two attacking players, including Wigan’s Jason Scotland, whose move has been put on hold by the Latics, a defender and a midfielder.
Meanwhile, Jon Walters, who made his debut for Stoke today, says he's not interested in contiuning his row with Town boss Roy Keane: "I’m not looking for a slanging match, even though the things that were said were not wholly true.
"It doesn’t fuss me one way or the other. I don’t mind what Mr Keane says or will say. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ipswich and have a lot of friends at the club and in the area.
"It’s a wrench to leave in terms of that, but now I’m looking forward to the challenge of doing well at Stoke.”