With the tabloids suggesting that James Beattie could be coming to Craven Cottage on loan with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer, this morning they are singing from a different hymn sheet.
Now, it appears, that West Ham United are preparing to make a £3 million bid for his services as they seek to consolidate their Premier League status.
I get the opinion that Stoke City might well prefer a permanent deal to be done now rather than a loaner whereby a deal might not actually materialise come the summer.