Stoke City boss Mark Hughes hopes to close a deal for Hannover striker Mame Biram Diouf today.
Diouf arrive in England this week for talks with the Potters.
Hughes hopes to make it third time lucky with Diouf after meeting the former Manchester United striker at the club's training ground for detailed talks yesterday following two previous failures to sign the 26-year-old Senegal international.
Diouf is out of contract at Hanover shortly and so would sign for nothing - one year after a fee of between £6m and £8m was reportedly put on his head - but he could become Stoke City's best-paid player to ensure he puts pen to paper, says The Sentinel.
