Tony Pulis hopes to have resurrected the season-long loan deal to bring Goran Popov to Stoke City.
Pulis has been given renewed hope of signing Popov, who is a Macedonia international, from Dynamo Kiev, because the defender has a Bulgarian passport.
Bulgaria are one of the member countries of the EU and Popov's passport allows him to enter England and live in the country, but not work. But he could be allowed to sign for the club if granted permission from the UK Border Agency - Stoke have made an appeal and expect a swift answer.
Popov was originally denied a work permit on his Macedonian passport, because his country have slipped down to 102 in the FIFA world rankings.
The 27-year-old left-back, who has already trained with Stoke, feared his dream switch to the Premier League was over because one of the UK Border Agency's criteria for granting permits is that the international country in question has to be ranked 70th or higher.
Stoke are still exploring other avenues with former Tottenham left-back Reto Ziegler and Blackburn's Swedish international Martin Olsson on the shortlist.
Italian reports suggest Juventus are willing to allow Swiss international Ziegler to move to the Britannia for €3 million. The 26-year-old, who spent last season on loan with Turkish club Fenerbahce, spent three seasons at Spurs after joining as an 18-year-old.
Olsson is also on Pulis' wanted list but, with chairman Peter Coates looking to trim spending, Blackburn's £4.5 million asking price is likely to be out of reach.
Olsson handed a transfer request in last month and wants to leave Ewood Park for a Premier League side. Aston Villa have also made enquiries, but would also have to offload players such as Stephen Warnock and Alan Hutton before they were in a position to meet Rovers' asking price.
