Stoke City are eyeing Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson.
The Sentinel says Stoke are sizing up their chances of signing Larsson next month as a replacement for Jermaine Pennant.
City boss Tony Pulis, a long-time admirer of the 25-year-old Swede, sees him as a viable alternative on the right flank if Stoke fail to conclude a deal for on-loan Pennant with Real Zaragoza.
Larsson is out of contract at St Andrews next summer and talks are stalling on a new deal because of wage demands of around £30,000-a-week.
That could persuade Birmingham to cash in now on a player also believed to be attracting attention from clubs in Germany and Spain.
