Stoke City chairman Peter Coates says they're quickly building a global scouting network.

"We are building up a system where we've got contacts who can tell us what's available around the world," he explained.

"You build your knowledge to enable you to bring in players from both Europe and further afield."

He said City manager Tony Pulis was open to the possibility of foreign imports, despite an apparent reluctance to shop for them in the past.

"He understands we have to look abroad because the pool of players in the UK is insufficient to get the quality players we need, so we've spent time and money building up these international contacts."