There are reports that Stoke City are considering making a £1m bid for Charlton playmaker, Dale Stephens.

Stephens is now in his third season at The Valley and has made 80 starts for the Addicks plus a further 6 appearances from the bench, scoring 10 goals, many of them spectacular efforts.

The Bolton born 24-year-old is currently in the best form of his career, and his burgeoning central midfield partnership with Jordan Cousins has been one of the highlights of a difficult season.

There have been rumours during his spell at The Valley that Stephens is homesick and would welcome a move to a northern club. He came close to joining Aston Villa just before the transfer window closed in August 2012, but the move broke down when the two clubs could not agree on a fee.

Lancashire Championship duo, Burnley and Wigan, are also thought to be interested in Stephens.

It will be interesting to see the reaction of new owner, Roland Duchatelet, if a bid does come in. Fans of Standard Liege were less than impressed with Duchatelet’s decision to sell many of their better players when he took over.

Stephens’ contract expires in the summer so Charlton must decide whether to cash in now, offer the player a new deal, or risk him walking away for nothing at the end of the season.