Stoke City are using local ties to close a deal for New York City FC attacker Jack Harrison.

Sports Illustrated suggest Stoke are on the brink of landing Harrison for £4.2m.

However, they also claim the Potters used Stoke-born Harrison's family connections in the city to edge out rival interest from the likes of Leicester City and West Ham.

Harrison's dad, John Giblin, played up front for non-league clubs across North Staffordshire and now manages the Butchers Arms Sunday league team in Forsbrook.