Stoke manager Tony Pulis has revealed he made an attempt to sign Craig Bellamy from Manchester City.
Bellamy made a surprise season-long loan move to Cardiff on Tuesday despite interest from the likes of Celtic, Fulham and Tottenham.
And Pulis admits he too joined the race for the Wales international, but admitted he could not persuade Bellamy to favour the Britannia Stadium outfit over his hometown club.
He told the Stoke Sentinel: “We inquired about Craig, but unfortunately for us his main concern was getting back to Wales to be close to his young family.
“Cardiff is also his hometown club, so it all fitted for him to make that move instead of the other offers on the table for him.
“Craig is 31 now and has done a hell of a lot of moving over the years when you look at all the clubs he has played for.
“It would have been nice if we could have sorted something out because we all know what an asset he can be as a player.
“He brings skill and energy to any team, and is a born winner full of passion, which inspires those around him.”