By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo
Friday 14 January 2011 09:40, UK
Image:Ba: Stoke medical
Skysports.com understands Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba is undergoing a medical at Stoke.
Potters close in on striker deal
Skysports.com understands Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba is undergoing a medical at Stoke ahead of his proposed move to the Britannia Stadium.
Stoke tabled a £5.9million bid for Ba on Thursday and the German club have now given the striker permission to hold talks with the Potters.
Ba's future has been the subject of intense speculation during this month's transfer window with the player refusing to return to Hoffenheim.
West Ham were thought to be leading the chase for the 25-year-old, but it appears Stoke have a stolen a march on their Premier League rivals for Ba by agreeing a fee with Hoffenheim with his services.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is keen to bolster his attacking options and sees Ba as a key addition to his squad with the likes of Tuncay and Eidur Gudjohnsen linked with moves away from the club.
The Potters are hoping to tie up a deal in time to have Ba available for this weekend's clash with Bolton.
