Pulis praises buy-of-season Parker

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has hailed Tottenham’s capture of Scott Parker from West Ham as the signing of the season.

The two sides meet in the Premier League on Sunday and Pulis has revealed he tried to sign Parker before the England midfielder made the move across the capital.

There were many big money moves in the Premier League in the close season with Sergio Aguero, Ashley Young, Juan Mata and Gervinho all making good impressions at their new clubs, but Pulis thinks the 31-year-old’s switch to Tottenham has been the best.

“If there is one signing this year, and there have been some great signings when you think of Sergio Aguero and others, he (Parker) has been the best. Harry has pulled one off there,” Pulis said.

“We made a tentative enquiry. Scott was keen to stay in London because of his family and we understood that.”

“But you have to credit Spurs. He has been ­pound-for-pound the best signing this season.”

Stoke welcome Premier League high-flyers Tottenham to the Britannia Stadium on Sunday with Pulis hoping to halt the rapid rise of Redknapp’s men up the league.