Ashton on the move again?

Stoke City have denied any interest in West Ham's striker Dean Ashton. Stoke Chairman Peter Coates said that the Potters are "a million miles away" from capturing the signature of the West Ham forward. Ashton, who was signed by West Ham in January 2006 from Norwich City has only made 43 starts for West Ham.

Reports on Thursday suggested that Stoke were in negotiations with West Ham for the powerful forward, but Coates told BBC Radio Stoke that it was "absolute nonsense"
He went on to say "I have have not said we are in talks with West Ham. We are a million miles from doing anything with Dean Ashton and probably won't."

A televised interview with Coates suggested that Stoke were close to a deal, but the Potters chairman said that he has been "misunderstood. "I have not said that we are talking to him or that we are about to sign him, I just simply haven't said it," said Coates. I have not said it because it's simply not true. I have been misunderstood."

And Coates added that although Stoke manager Tony Pulis is an admirer of Ashton, the speculation surrounding a possible transfer is frustrating. We have not talked one jot about him in terms of anything significant.

Ashton started his career at Stoke's own academy before being transferred to Crewe Alexadra. He scored 73 goals for Crew, then he joined Norwich in January 2005 for
£3M before going to the Hammers in 2006 for £7.25m, but only making 33 Premier League starts at the London Club.