The Potters want Hannover’s Diouf.
Former Manchester United and current Hannover 96 striker Mame Diouf has emerged as a transfer target for Stoke City, reports German daily BILD.
Stoke’s chief executive Tony Scholes and director of football Mark Cartwright have flown out to Germany to discuss negotiations with the player’s agent Jim Solbakken.
Initially the Potters didn’t want to part with more than around £5.2m, with Hannover demanding £7m for the Senegal international.
Yet after discussions it seem both parties have come to an agreement of around £6m and if the forward’s terms are met, then it could see Diouf returning to England just 18 months after leaving Old Trafford.
The African was a £4m signing for United from Norwegian outfit Molde in 2009 and spent loan spells back at the club and also with Blackburn Rovers.
However, the Senegalese attacker could not make a firm place for himself with the Red Devils and left after two-and-a-half years having only made nine appearances for the Premier League champions.
Diouf was sold to Hannover in January 2012 and has once again found form in front of goal, netting 27 goals and providing 11 assists in 52 games in all competitions to date.
This eye for the goal has led new Stoke manager Mark Hughes to take great interest in the 25-year-old and the Welshman wants to make the striker his third new signing at the Britannia Stadium – along with defenders Erik Pieters and Marc Muniesa.
If Diouf made the switch then the forward would face the prospect of a return to the Theatre of Dreams on October 26.
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