Stoke City chairman Peter Coates expects transfer prices to rise following the change of ownership at Manchester City. Coates told BBC Radio Stoke: "These things can escalate transfer fees and a player's wages.

"It will affect the top three of four more than a club like Stoke, but it can trickle down to the smaller clubs."

City's new owners the Abu Dhabi United Group have publically promised the club vast transfer funds and almost trumped Manchester United for ex-Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbov on transfer deadline day.