Stoke plan deals for Erik Pieters and Marko Arnautovic By Stephen Turner
Last Updated: 15/12/15 10:34am
Stoke have begun work on new contracts for Marko Arnautovic and Erik Pieters, chairman Peter Coates says.
Both players were signed in the summer of 2013 and have 18 months to run on their current deals.
Forward Arnautovic is in good form having scored five times this season, while left-back Pieters is one of only two outfield players who has started all 16 of Stoke's Premier League games.
"Yes, they are contracts we are working on at the moment," said Coates, quoted in the Stoke Sentinel.
"We are always aware of these things, of where we want to go with them, and are trying to make sure we get things done in good time."
Arnautovic and Pieters started a goalless draw at West Ham on Saturday which gave goalkeeper Jack Butland a sixth clean sheet in seven games for club and country.
The England international's form has seen him linked with Liverpool, speculation played down by Butland himself, but Coates would prefer to see the plaudits shared out among the Stoke squad.
"Jack is a fine young goalkeeper having a fine season," he said. "But I find it absolute nonsense that people were concentrating on his performance on Saturday.
"He didn't make any more saves than the West Ham goalkeeper, but I suppose as a young England goalkeeper he is going to get the focus."
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11701/10100638/stoke-plan-deals-for-erik-pieters-and-marko-arnautovic
