Stoke City coughed up an amazing £575,000 to sign Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi on-loan last week.

The Mail on Sunday says the staggering deal makes Ameobi the most expensive loanee in English club history.

And the final figure for the striker, who has not scored for nearly 18 months, will approach £1million if Stoke go up via the play-offs, with a bonus due to Newcastle on promotion.

But City chairman Peter Coates said: "We wouldn't want to look back and think we haven't had a go. We have done a deal and taken that risk. There are no guarantees but we're trying not to miss out."

In addition to the down-payment to Newcastle, Stoke will also meet the player's estimated £25,000-a-week wages until the end of the season on May 4. He will stay at the Britannia Stadium if the club reach the play-off final on May 24.