Mark Hughes admits Stoke City could lose Jon Walters
Friday 30 October 2015 07:14, UK
Mark Hughes accepts Stoke City may lose striker Jon Walters and has revealed contract talks with the player have stalled.
The Republic of Ireland international wants a two-year contract extension but the club have, so far, only offered another 12 months.
Walters, whose contract expires at the end of the current season, handed in a transfer request the day before deadline day in the summer transfer window and a similar situation could develop when clubs can buy players again in January.
Stoke rejected a £2m bid from Norwich City in the summer and when Hughes was asked if there was a danger the club could lose the player, he said: "There is.
"It's not what I want or what Jon wants. I do believe there's still scope to return to the table - I hope there is. It's not anything to do with his ability, or how much he's valued. He is thought of very highly here.
"It's the length of contract that is the issue. He's playing exceptionally well. So hopefully we can sort something because he wants security, and to know where he's playing his football.
"I'm hopeful we can reach a point again where there is some common ground."
Walters has been in fine form this term, with his spectacular strike in Tuesday's Capital One Cup clash with Chelsea his fourth club goal of the campaign to add to two he has netted for the Republic of Ireland.
