Spurs ace linked with move

Stoke are being linked with a move for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe as their attempts to land Michael Owen continue to stall.

The Potters have not given up all hope of landing Owen, who is available on a free transfer, but they are still some way from agreeing a deal with the former England international. Reports claim Owen is after £75,000 a week but Stoke will only offer him half of that over a 12 month contract, with the option of a further year should he stay injury free. The negotiations have reached a stalemate and boss Tony Pulis is now weighing up his options, one of which is believed to be Defoe, who could leave Tottenham in the summer. Defoe would not come cheap and as well as large wages he would command a hefty transfer fee. Kenwyne Jones or Cameron Jerome would have to leave first after chairman Peter Coates ruled out the kind of deals that saw Peter Crouch arrive last summer unless players move on. The Spurs star is considering his options though and could soon be on the market. "Everyone knows how much I love Tottenham. Everybody knows that they are the club I want to play for," he said. "But last season was heartbreaking for me in terms of putting my body on the line, being prepared to give everything for the club and not getting a game."