Athletic have re-opened talks to bring Stoke City defender Gareth Owen to Boundary Park on a permanent transfer. Owen has made seven starts for the Latics in what is his second loan spell at the club. Stoke have agreed to extend his loan until the end of the current season while the talks go on.The Potters are expected to want a small transfer fee and this is the stumbling block which is stopping the defender fulfilling his wish to remain at Boundary Park.