West Ham star rejects Stoke move due to pay demands

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is reeling after missing out on West Ham centre half James Collins - who walked out on talks over personal terms yesterday.

Welsh international Collins was at the Britannia Stadium after a £5 million fee was agreed but he could not sort out a wage deal and left the Potteries without signing.

Pulis is stunned as Collins's move - along with a swoop for Middlesbrough's Robert Huth - are key to his planning for the season ahead.

The Stoke chief wants the pair, but financial restictions are hurting him, with Collins joining Cameroon star Stephane M'Bia in failing to agree terms.

Frustrated Pulis has had no problem agreeing prices for his targets but Stoke are reluctant to pay the wages being demanded by the men they want and that is leaving them with a lost of transfer failures.