James McClean is reportedly swapping West Bromwich Albion for Championship club Stoke City.
After weeks of speculation, it seems that James McClean’s move to Stoke City is back on.
According to the Express and Star, Stoke have agreed a £5 million fee with West Bromwich Albion. And the Republic of Ireland international is expected to complete his move to the Potteries by the end of the weekend.
This comes after the two clubs, who were both relegated from the Premier League last season, appeared to have been at an impasse in negotiations, with Stoke seeing a £4 million bid rejected in June.
Now, the Express and Star reports that West Brom were not willing to sell McClean until they had a replacement lined up. And, intriguingly, it is understood that the Baggies are close to announcing the signing of an as-yet unknown winger, who will arrive in the next 48 hours.
Whoever he is, he will be the club’s fourth signing of the summer after Kyle Bartley, Jonathan Bond and Sam Johnstone.
The Mirror (live blog, 3.07pm) claimed in June that West Brom were interested in Newcastle United’s gifted yet injury-prone youngster Rolando Aarons. And Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez admitted to the Chronicle on Friday that the 22-year-old could be allowed to leave on loan this summer.
Could Aarons (below, centre) be the replacement for McClean?
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