Jon Walters' role in Stoke's establishment as a Premier League side often goes unnoticed. The 31 year old has been an integral part of a squad that have continually defied expectations over the past few years and he has carved out a starting role in a team that has impressed in the Premier League.
As things stand, that's not something we can say about too many Ireland players. And yet, whether it's for Stoke or Ireland, Walters tends to get painted with the target man brush more than he should. You get the sense that's something he's not particularly happy about either.
Earlier this summer there were suggestions that he was not happy with the kind of deal he was being offered to stay at Stoke. That eventually led to suggestions that talks had broken down over a new contract amid supposed interest from West Brom.
However, the summer ticked on and Walters retained his place in the starting eleven for the first two games of the new season. Yet, with the likes of Afellay and Shaqiri joining the sexy football revolution under Mark Hughes, it seems Walters may still find himself elsewhere at the end of the transfer window.
Norwich have now jumped to the top of the queue for the Irish attacker with a link up with Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady now a distinct possibility. If that is to happen though, the Carrow Road club will have to up their offer after Stoke rejected an initial £1.5 million bid.
He may only have a year left on his contract but if Norwich, or someone like West Brom can snag Walters for anything like that amount then it would surely be a bit of a bargain considering the experience Walters could bring to a less than established Premier League squad.
