Choke City?

Stoke City are set to sign Hammers striker Dean Ashton, according to local radio reports.

However another source close to Stoke insisted this morning that the club are set to pull out of the race to sign the permanently crocked former Norwich striker.

Local radio in Stoke carried a report first thing this morning suggesting that the Potters were about to seal a deal to sign the 25-year-old, said to be worth around £6m (rising to £10m).

However local paper the Sentinel insist that the opposite is true, claiming that Tony Pulis is set to turn his attention elsewhere due to concerns over Ashton's long-term fitness (concerns which apparently failed to materialise previously).

West Ham - who have refrained from commenting on the situation regarding the once-capped England striker - have refused to confirm that they would be willing to part with Ashton, who has started just 33 league games since signing from Norwich for £7million in January 2006.

However with funds tight and Gianfranco Zola looking to expand his attacking options ahead of the new season the sale of Ashton to facilitate such reinvestment is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Elsewhere Bayern Munich have released a statement confirming that 32-year-old striker Luca Toni is not for sale, after recent speculation hinted at possible interest from the Hammers.