Jon Walters influence could lean Irish striker Sinclair Armstrong towards Stoke

Bristol City have been long-time admirers of Armstrong and were on track to hatch a deal until fellow Championship outfit Stoke City upped their interest in recent days.

STRONG INTEREST: Sinclair Armstrong is linked with a move to Stoke City. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Transfer activity for the Irish this summer has been sluggish but Sinclair Armstrong appears to be next striker to move after Troy Parrott.

AZ Alkmaar last week ended Parrott’s time at Tottenham Hotspur by prising the forward in a £7m switch and his former youth teammate is also likely to be leaving London behind in a multimillion deal.

Armstrong – the 21-year-old handed his senior Ireland debut by Stephen Kenny as a late substitute against Netherlands – is only under contract at QPR by virtue of the year’s extension they club activated midway through the last season.

Bristol City have been long-time admirers of his and were on track to hatch a deal until fellow Championship outfit Stoke City upped their interest in recent days.

Both clubs are understood to have reached QPR’s valuation, considering he’ll be available on a free next summer, and have left the decision in the player’s hands.

Where Stoke may hold sway is the player’s past relationship with Jon Walters, this year’s elevated to the position of Sporting Director at the club he lined out for.

Walters worked as an assistant of Ireland Under-19 manager Tom Mohan during Sinclair’s year at that level and came to appreciate the prowess he provides in attack.