Stoke City transfer notebook as Potters explore overseas opportunities
Stoke City are expected to explore overseas transfer markets this summer with a priority of making the squad bigger, faster and stronger, as well as better, for Mark Robins’ first full season in charge.
Stoke are likely to do some domestic business in another window that will see a significant number of comings and goings – there have already been nine senior departures, including the five loanees – but they are believed to be open to more exotic opportunities too.
This is the first summer for Robins at the bet365 Stadium, as well as new head of recruitment Ian Torrance and a new data system designed to help highlight possibilities that is being rolled out, having been in development over the last year.
There will be a focus on physicality as well as character. Injuries forced Robins’ hand a little in his selection for the final day at Derby County but the team he named in that crucial match was, on average, noticeably a couple of inches taller to other points in the season and that is more like the blueprint he will have as a new stamp is put on the group.
Luton’s 21-year-old midfielder Lamine Fanne Dobo seemed to fit the bill in that regard when he was linked with Stoke by the Scandinavian press this week but reports that Stoke have been in contact about a prospective deal believed to be wide of the mark, at least at the moment.
How many deals to expect?
Stoke signed 10 players last summer, including six permanent signings – of whom four were from England or Scotland while Eric Bocat came in from Sint-Truiden in Belgium and Tatsuki Seko arrived from Kawasaki Frontale. Seko has actually been back at Frontale during the close-season, introduced to his old supporters for warm reception.
The amount of business this time around depends on a couple of factors, such as whether a target could cover a couple of positions in the squad and how much wheeling and dealing Robins, Torrance and Jon Walters are prepared to oversee in the next couple of months.
The club is braced for inquiries about key assets such as Manhoef, Bae Junho and Wouter Burger while there has been apparent interest in Junior Tchamadeu reported this week too.
Player of the season Viktor Johansson, who is currently expected to stay, has been named in the Sweden squad for upcoming friendlies against Hungary on Friday, June 6 and Algeria on Thursday, June 12.
Bringing through their own talent
Laurence Giani, Stoke’s homegrown left-back, started for Italy in their opening game of the under-17s European Championship on Tuesday night, beating Czech Republic 2-1.
They are next in action tomorrow night against England (Friday, 7.30pm) before a final group game against Belgium on Monday. England and Belgium drew in their opening fixture.
Players who have left so far
Ashley Phillips, Andrew Moran, Lewis Koumas, Ali Al-Hamadi, Josh Wilson Esbrand, Enda Stevens, Lynden Gooch, Jordan Thompson, Michael rose
Players on the books who have started a league game for Stoke
BETWEEN THE STICKS: Viktor Johansson, Jack Bonham, Tommy Simkin
IN DEFENCE: Junior Tchamadeu, Eric Bocat, Ben Gibson, Ben Wilmot
IN THE MIDDLE Ben Pearson, Wouter Burger, Lewis Baker, Tatsuki Seko, Sol Sidibe, Bosun Lawal
UP FRONT: Million Manhoef, Bae Junho, Sam Gallagher, Nathan Lowe, Ryan Mmaee, Andre Vidigal, Niall Ennis (plus Emre Tezgel, contract offered)
Other players who have been in first team squad
Freddie Anderson, Chinonso Chibueze, Ruben Curley, Jaden Dixon, Favour Fawunmi, Frank Fielding, Laurence Giani, Jake Griffin, Jack Griffiths, Keke Jeffers, Darius Lipsiuc, Will Smith, Kieron Willox
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