Sunderland manager Roy Keane says Stoke's treatment of goalkeeper Marton Fulop is a "disgrace".
A £3m deal had been agreed for Fulop but it stalled over the fee to be paid to his agent and Stoke have since signed Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen.
Keane told the BBC: "Stoke wasted his time. They took him down there and made him an offer, Marton asked for a bit more but they were not far away.
"When you meet for negotiations, you negotiate. It's a disgrace."
Keane had previously stated that the move to Stoke was entirely in Fulop's hands, even suggesting that he should curb his wage demands in exchange for regular first-team football.
However, at the same time that Stoke were negotiating with Fulop, former Aston Villa keeper Sorensen arrived on trial at the Britannia Stadium and has subsequently signed a three-year deal.
606: DEBATE"I appreciate that Stoke had another trialist there," said Keane.
"But to treat a player like that is disgraceful, they have totally disrespected him. I'm not happy with them but I am happy to have Marton back because he is a top goalkeeper."
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Potters boss Tony Pulis refused to criticise Keane but did confirm that the fee due to Fulop's agent was the major stumbling block in the deal.
"Stoke City and Suderland agreed a fee, we just couldn't agree a fee with the agent," said Pulis.
"I can't talk for Roy and of course I have total respect for everyone at Sunderland. He's got to say what he's got to say but we will make decisions that will be for the benefit of Stoke City."
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