Is scrapping replays a 'kick in the teeth' for lower-league clubs or a vital step for player welfare? Managers from across English football have their say as war rages over controversial move
Revealed: Roman Abramovich's alleged role in Dutch side Vitesse being given 18-point deduction and RELEGATED from the Eredivisie after investigation into financial irregularities
Arsenal's April curse strikes again! SAMI MOKBEL reveals exactly what needs to change for Mikel Arteta to win major honours
Casemiro opens up on why he nearly CANCELLED his £70m move to Man United from Real Madrid... as the Brazilian star reveals an emotional chat with Carlo Ancelotti almost changed his mind
PHIL FODEN on the very personal reason why he wears No 47, how he deals with the relentless Pep Guardiola... and he finally settles a Man City myth
Can Chelsea pile more misery on Man City and end their double hopes? The Blues are 12/5 to win FA Cup semi-final tie... with Cole Palmer 2/1 to score anytime against his former side
Ratcliffe's revolution continues! Man United confirm appointment of Jason Wilcox as new technical director after agreeing compensation with Southampton and will start new role with immediate effect
Zinedine Zidane 'would prefer to manage Man United over Bayern Munich' and is 'monitoring the situation at Old Trafford'... DESPITE being 'close' to a deal to replace Thomas Tuchel at Bundesliga giants
Geri and Christian Horner 'in talks to film fly-on-the-wall documentary about their personal life' after the Red Bull Racing boss was cleared of wrongdoing amid his 'sexting' scandal
Tired? Give it a rest. If Man City keep talking about feeling jaded then they'll start to believe they are, writes GRAEME SOUNESS
Coventry have been penniless, homeless and at war with their owners but, like the city bombed in 1940, they have risen from the rubble to set up their semi-final date with Man United
Cole Palmer was asking to leave Man City for TWO seasons, reveals Pep Guardiola... as he admits he 'didn't give the Chelsea star the minutes he deserved'
Cesc Fabregas speaks out on Chelsea's penalty fiasco as he warns arguments over who takes spot-kicks can cause 'bad vibes' in the dressing room - and recalls being at the centre of a similar row
New footage shows Xabi Alonso and his Bayer Leverkusen staff reacting to finding out Europa League semi-final opponent, as clip prompts fans to warn German champions about underestimating Roma
Lower-league clubs could BOYCOTT the FA Cup in fury after the Premier League and The FA agreed to scrap replays in the hallowed tournament
England's next wonderkid? Wolves are set to include a 15-YEAR-OLD schoolboy in their squad to face Arsenal amid their injury crisis... and Gary O'Neil hints the young star could START crunch clash
Have Liverpool lost their killer edge at the worst time? Reds have not scored from open play in over SIX HOURS... and their poor recent record is in danger of ruining Jurgen Klopp's farewell tour
Teenage sensation Luke Littler swats aside Arno Merk to set up World Championship final rematch with Luke Humphries in second round of European Darts Grand Prix
Man City 'are already preparing for life after Pep Guardiola and have identified LaLiga boss as a potential successor to the Spaniard when he leaves the Etihad'
Formula One fans claim Taylor Swift had a dig at Fernando Alonso in her new album 'The Tortured Poets Department' after singer's rumored romance with the Spaniard last year
KEOWN TALKS TACTICS: Luton's tunnel vision could be saving grace - as Rob Edwards' Hatters look to seize the initiative in the Premier League relegation battle
Sean Dyche insists he will 'FIGHT' to stay at Everton amidst concerning run of just one win in 15 games as under-pressure Toffees boss reveals project is 'a lot different' to what he expected
Michael Schumacher's incredible watch collection 'is set to be auctioned by his family' with eight of his unique timepieces 'expected to fetch an estimated £5M'
Man United target names the Red Devils as a club he'd love to play for, despite snubbing Erik ten Hag's advances for TWO YEARS... with Premier League rivals also on his list

Stoke encouraged in pursuit of Bendtner with striker eyeing Premier League stay

By Janine Self for The Mail on Sunday
Updated: 17:30 EDT, 1 August 2011

View
comments

Nicklas Bendtner has been given a chance to stay in the Barclays Premier League by Stoke City.

The Arsenal striker seemed to be heading to Sporting Lisbon in a £9million deal last week.

However, his availability alerted Stoke manager Tony Pulis, who has made an enquiry for the Danish forward.

Familiar scene: Niklas Bendtner has to come to represent everything frustrating about Arsenal

Bendtner's response was to ask his advisers to find out what the Potteries club had to offer as he would love to continue playing in England.

The striker wears the No 52 shirt at Emirates Stadium, a reminder of his £52,000-a-week wages, and he would have to take a cut if he was serious about joining Stoke.

Pulis has already had to give up on Birmingham duo Cameron Jerome and Scott Dann because of their personal terms but wants to add a forward to his squad.

Flop: The Dane sealed his fate when he missed a glorious chances in the Nou Camp

Tottenham's Peter Crouch is another who has been considered but he is 30 and Spurs are demanding the same amount of cash as Bendtner, who is still only 23.

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has flown back from the club’s tour of America in an effort to conclude negotiations with Arsenal for their captain Cesc Fabregas.