Stoke manager Mark Hughes has revealed his hopes of landing Oussama Assaidi from Liverpool on a permanent basis have "gone cold."
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Assaidi spent all of last season on loan with the Potters, scoring five goals in 25 appearances.
Despite Hughes' eagerness to link up with the 25-year-old Morocco international again, the Welshman fears he may have to look elsewhere for the one player he claims he needs to complete his squad ahead of the new season.
"It's common knowledge Ozzie is somebody we would like to bring into the club, but at the moment that deal has gone cold," Hughes told Stoke City Player.
"He is one we have chased for a while now, but there hasn't been any real movement on that front, so we will just have to wait and see what the situation is with regards to that deal."