Stoke City ‘close in’ on new forward as summer transformation continues
Stoke City are closing in on the signing of Bastia forward Lamine Cisse according to reports in Corsica.
Stoke inquired about the Bastia player, aged 22, early in the summer window and stories later emerged in France that suggested their continued interest. It has also been recently claimed that he has been on the transfer radar of Lens in Ligue 1.
Now Corse Matin claim that a fee of about €2.5 million has been agreed and he is “expected to join” Mark Robins’ revamped squad at the bet365 Stadium.
Cisse had signed for Bastia from Nancy last summer and scored nine times and set up another five in Ligue 2 during the season. He is a former France youth international who made his senior breakthrough at Nancy, although that came as the club was going through one of the toughest periods in its history.
“The winger, often played in the central striker position under Benoit Tavenot, was one of the great satisfactions for the islanders,” write Corse Matin.
“Once courted by French club, including RC Lens, Cisse is expected to finally move to England and soon sign with the Championship club.”
Robins has brought in eight new signings so far, including Sorba Thomas, Divin Mubama and Robert Bozenik for the front line, as well as attacking midfielder Jamie Donley. Robins can call on Million Manhoef, Bae Junho and Sam Gallagher too while Ryan Mmaee and Andre Vidigal have been told they can leave.
The transfer window remains open until September 1 and a further exit would be no surprise as the pecking order becomes clearer.
Stoke only scored 45 times last season but Thomas and Mubama both found the net, and Donley chipped in with an assist, in an opening day 3-1 win over Derby County.
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