Ba blow for Potters

Stoke’s proposed move for Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba has broken down after the player failed a medical.

It is understood an initial £7.1m fee had been agreed – as well as personal terms – for the Senegal international.

Ba, 25, visited the club’s Clayton Wood training ground for a medical, only to be given the bad news.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes said: “Having agreed all the financial terms of the deal with Hoffenheim and the player, he failed his medical.

“We will therefore not be signing him on a permanent basis.”