Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson could become Stoke's first summer signing after travelling to the Britannia for talks over a £4million move.Tony Pulis is hoping to complete "one or two" transfers before taking his squad to Austria this weekend and Carson could be the first new arrival.

The Potters face competition from fellow Premier League new boys West Brom, who have also agreed a fee with Liverpool, and the Sunday Mercury claims the 22-year-old would favour a move to The Hawthorns.

However, Stoke will hope that Carson's decision to hold talks with them first means he actually wants to make the shorter trip down the M6 to North Staffordshire.

The fee for the England international is believed to be an initial £3million plus a further £1million in add-ons - some £6million less than the figure Aston Villa were quoted for him 12 months ago.

An inconsistent season for Martin O'Neill's men, a high-profile clanger in England's clash with Croatia, and Liverpool's desperation to raise some cash has seen the Anfield outfit drastically alter their valuation of Carson.

He is now expected to join either Stoke or West Brom in the next week, although there has also been reported interest from Hull and Middlesbrough.

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