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Stoke manager Tony Pulis is still hopeful a deal can be reached to sign striker Michael Owen in spite of increased competition from Premier League rivals.

The Potters have been linked with the 32-year-old ever since he became a free agent after his release from Manchester United this summer.

Liverpool, however, is set to hold talks with Owen on Monday.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed after his side's 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal on Sunday that he was considering a deal for Owen after failing to sign a replacement for Andy Carroll on transfer deadline day.

Pulis, meanwhile, said he wants to sign Owen on a pay-as-you-play deal.

"I would love to sign Michael," he told The Sentinel.

"If we can do it, we will do it, and do it on the basis that we did with Jonathan Woodgate and players like that.

"If he's in the team he will get paid, and if he isn't he won't get paid so much."

As the striker is out of contract he can be signed outside of the transfer window and the fact that it has closed until January has made Owen more attractive to other clubs.

Besides Stoke and Liverpool, Owen has been linked to Sunderland, West Ham and Everton.

Owen said on his Twitter page Saturday that he has an idea where he will be playing this season but the situation is still fluid.

He wrote: "Obviously can't tell you who I'm in talks with yet. I have an idea where I will go but you never know who else could enter the fray!"

Information from Press Association was used in this report.