Stoke City have moved a step closer to signing West Brom winger James McClean, according to BirminghamLive.
Stoke have improved on their original £4m bid for McClean, as Rowett closes in on his 3rd signing as manager of the Potters.
Rowett was keen on bringing the Irishman to Pride Park in January as he grew unsettled due to a lack of game time under Alan Pardew. McClean himself admitted he wanted to join the Rams in January, with his head turned by their interest.
McClean has been looking for a route out of West Bromwich for a season now. In an interview with the Irish Mirror, McClean said he was ‘disappointed’ a move to Burnley in August 2017 didn’t come off. He went on to say he ‘wanted to leave’ when Derby came in for him in January 2018.
The 29 year-old has grown frustrated with his treatment at West Brom, after being promised game time by Pardew, only to play ‘once every three games’.
McClean’s spell at The Hawthorns is set to come to an end soon, with personal terms set be negotiated this week.
The winger is highly rated for his stamina and defensive contributions, and threatens opposition defenders with his pace. Discipline isn’t McClean’s strongest asset, picking up 9 Premier League bookings last season.
Stoke have also been credited with interest in wingers Junior Hoilett and Jordon Ibe, but McClean is Rowett’s top target after missing out on him at Derby.
Cardiff and Burnley have also been linked with moves for the winger, but McClean looks set to become Rowett’s third signing as Stoke City look to return to the top flight.
