Stoke City looking to bring in English signings after scaling back foreign scouting – director of football

Tony Pulis – Stoke City, (Getty Images)

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Stoke City are looking to strengthen their squad with domestic signings this summer after scaling back their continental scouting operations.

The Potters have scaled back their European scouting in order to find the best talent in England.

The club’s director of football, John Rudge, has said that although he and Tony Pulis have travelled the continent this summer, their priority is to sign domestically.

He told the Sentinel: “We haven’t scoured Europe like we did last year.

“Just recently all the staff have been out to several different European countries, but that’s only been over the last couple of months.

“We have scaled it down from what it was a couple of years ago, although no door is ever closed.”

Although the club is looking more towards domestic signings, Rudge admits that if the right opportunity arose then they would not hesitate to sign a foreign player.

He added: “We still have our contacts out there, so we can follow up recommendations whenever we have to.

“Tony would prefer English players if he can get the right quality at the right price but he has never ruled out a foreign player and we shall certainly take a long, hard look at those recommended.”