Potters pursue Harewood

Villa will not agree loan deal for striker

Last updated: 7th January 2009

Potters pursue Harewood

Harewood will not be allowed to leave on loan

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Stoke City will be forced to buy Marlon Harewood if they want to secure the Aston Villa striker's services in January, according to the player's representative.

Harewood has struggled for first-team opportunities this season as Villa chase a place in the top four of the Premier League, with Gabriel Agbonlahor proving a success.

And according to Harewood's agent Phil Sproson - who is a PFA representative - Stoke are hoping to tempt the forward with the offer of regular football.

Sproson believes Villa are keen to offload the former West Ham player, but does not feel that manager Martin O'Neill will agree to a loan move.

"Stoke are showing an interest in the player," Sproson told The Sentinel. "But they will have to buy because Villa won't loan him.

High standards

"They are looking to sell him in this window if they can, or in the summer if not, but Marlon's contract runs until the end of next season.

"Villa will listen to realistic offers, but if someone tries to nick him it will not happen. It's a case of whoever strikes a deal with Villa first will probably get him."

However, Sproson claims Harewood - who left West Ham in 2007 - is not looking to leave Villa Park.

"He's not in a fantastic rush to leave Villa, but he is missing not playing regularly and is at that stage of his career where he wants to be playing," added Sproson.

"But he understands the situation at Villa. They are a top-five club now and the standard there is unbelievably high. There are England players in front of him in the team."