The three ideal transfers for Stoke City in the summer window
Stoke City have endured another disappointing season in the Championship this term, despite signing 23 first-team players in the last two transfer windows.
The Potters have spent a considerable amount on players since June last year, and the signings have certainly been a mixed bag in terms of quality and contribution to the squad.
Last summer saw wholesale changes in terms of transfer policy, with Jared Dublin joining as Head of Recruitment, placing more of an onus on buying players from around Europe and beyond, as well as more younger players with high potential in a low-risk, high-reward strategy.
Acquistions such as Wouter Burger, Jun-Ho Bae and Million Manhoef, from Basel, Daejon Citizen and Vitesse respectively, have adapted to life in English football well – with Bae in particular winning the hearts of the Stoke fans for his performances.
There have also been failures, like Chiquinho, a summer loan signing from Wolves who featured just four times before returning to his parent club amidst a falling-out with then boss Alex Neil.
Steven Schumacher still has decisions to make this summer on numerous players’ contract extensions, such as Tyrese Campbell and Jordan Thompson, and will be seeing key loan players Daniel Iversen, Ki-Jana Hoever and Luke McNally return to their respective parent clubs.
Viktor Johansson
The recruitment this summer is likely to be more thorough, with focus on quality over quantity as the club looks to finally propel itself up the division.
Here, we take a look at three dreamy, but realistic, players that Potters fans would love their club to sign this summer..
Stoke need to sign a first-choice goalkeeper this summer, with Iversen set to return to Leicester City and Jack Bonham not fancied as a number one by Steven Schumacher..
The Dane is currently valued at €3,000,000 by transfermarkt, and a price upwards of that figure would likely see Stoke look elsewhere for a better deal.
Harry Souttar
Johansson has been Rotherham United’s number one ‘keeper for the last two seasons, and has impressed fans and neutrals alike with his performances, despite being unable to prevent an unfortunate relegation to League One this season.
A name that will be very familiar to Stoke fans, 6ft 7in Souttar amicably departed the bet365 Stadium 13 months ago, after a stellar World Cup with Australia saw him seal a £15,000,000 move to Leicester City following six years in the Potteries.
The centre-back joined the Potters from Dundee United in 2016, and went on to make 70 appearances for the first-team, scoring twice.
His outstanding form at club level saw him called up to the Australia national team in 2019, despite being born in Scotland, and he has since notched up 11 goals in 29 games for his country – owing to his aerial prowess.
