It is reported Stoke City are close to capturing Scott Hogan's signature for a season-long loan, according to Gregg Evans of The Athletic.
Aston Villa's striker was subjected to multiple transfer rumours throughout the window, with Bristol City, West Brom and Queens Park Rangers as the former front-runners.
Hogan has struggled to adapt to life at Villa Park after a turbulent 18-months which saw him drop down the goal-scoring pecking order.
From his 14 appearances last season, the Irishman only managed to record 501 minutes on the pitch and two goals within that time.
As the former Brentford front-man draws to Stoke, there will be a set of positives and negatives to take from this transfer for Potter supporters.
Pro: A fresh attacking alternative
The Potters find themselves to be in a perplexing position. They acquired a Championship promotion team on paper, but their failure to come remotely close to a promotion has left them in a dire place.
Their finances are disastrous. Two of their six strikers, Saido Berahino and Mame Diouf, were refused squad numbers for the season, while 19-year-old Tyrese Campbell does not look ready to fire the Potters to a triumphant campaign.
Also, Benik Afobe has struggled to lead the line for Stoke in his short-career with them. The Congolese striker was directly involved in a goal every 282 minutes, while his teammate, Sam Vokes, totalled an average of 209 minutes. Lee Gregory - signed from Millwall this summer - had a slightly worst average than Vokes for The Lions, with an average of 214 minutes per direct goal contribution.
It's clear the Potters need a fresh attacking alternative. Hogan could prove to be the missing jigsaw piece propel them into promotion contention.
Pro: A proven Championship goalscorer
While it seems to be an eternal since Hogan was breathing fear down his opponents throats at Griffin Park, the Republic of Ireland international is still a proven Championship goalscorer. Hogan was frightful with The Bees. He scored 22 goals in just 24 appearances.
At only 27-year-old, Hogan will have plenty of talent reserved for the manager that can unlock the treasure he possesses. Hogan's instinct and confidence has not altered, despite his poor career at Villa Park.
The striker said to the Birmingham Mail in June: "The important thing is I get maybe 40 games under my belt because I’m confident if I get 40 games, I’ll get 25 goals."
A return to the top of the goalscorer charts could be on the way if Nathan Jones can implement a system that will bring the best out of the striker.
Con: A revival of form
Though, finding the key to Hogan's goal-scoring treasure could prove to be a difficult task. Hogan enjoyed the luxury of being a part of a well-drilled and brilliantly managed Sheffield United team, during his short-loan at Bramall Lane in the second-half of last season. In that time, Hogan fired in two goals and contributed one assist in five starts and three appearances from the bench.
In contrast, Hogan will be entering a similar atmosphere he encountered at Villa - a club needing promotion to stabilise their finances. The experience he gained from the pressuring environment in Birmingham will be an important factor to his performances.
Stoke will be placing their promotion hopes on an out-of-form Hogan, who was swallowed-up by the exact same intense situation. It is a big risk to take.
Con: Complimenting all front-men
The system Jones chooses to adopt during the season will have to compliment all his strikers. Having four-five strikers (depending on Campbell's playing expectations), who they all could mostly be seen as possible first-team Championship strikers will be a challenging juggling task.
The harmony, as well as the culture which breeds from it, amongst the squad is important to any team. It will be a deciding factor how successful the Potters. If Jones fails to compliment the strikers, events could soon turn sour.