Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has refused to confirm whether the club are looking at signing Robin van Persie from Fenerbahce this summer.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker has been heavily tipped to move back to the Premier League, with the likes of Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Middlesbrough among the clubs linked with the Dutchman.
Stoke are also in the market for a striker, with Hughes confirming the club's interest in West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino, but he was less definitive over the possibility of Van Persie arriving at the Britannia Stadium.
"I've seen speculation, but there are going to be a lot of those stories in fairness," he told Sky Sports News.
"Some will have substance, some won't, but it's up to you guys to find out which one is which. We're looking to address key areas in the team that we feel we can improve on and if those players become available then we're interested."
Van Persie scored 190 goals in 382 games during his time in England with Arsenal and United.
Barney Corkhill
