Stoke City have already signed nine players this summer but their work is not done yet
Stoke City are set to focus on signing a central midfielder in the final days of the transfer season.
Stoke are in a unique position in that most of their summer work has been completed heading into the final fortnight before deadline day, and they are not too involved in the mad scramble that will grip the Championship, even if they are still open to any surprise potential deals that may emerge as a result of the rush.
However, the theme of their window has most likely been to limit surprises, at least internally, and the nine additions thus far have taken months to prepare. Stoke have successfully brought in the majority of their top targets in what has proven to be a significant squad overhaul.
Tomas Rigo, 23, has been at the top of their shopping list as they attempt to replace Wouter Burger and Sol Sidibe in the midfield department.
The Slovakia international has risen to prominence in the last two years at Czech club Banik Ostrava, who have been anxious to keep him for their potentially lucrative Europa Conference League play-off against Celje before allowing him to leave. They’ll play in Slovenia tonight (7pm), followed by a return leg next Thursday.
It runs the risk of Stoke turning their attention to another option or the deal being derailed by injury, but Rigo looks to be determined on a transfer to the bet365 Stadium. He is expected to command a fee of approximately €4 million.
Stoke still have a couple of loan berths available if needed, and Mark Robins already has Ben Pearson, Lewis Baker, Tatsuki Seko, Jamie Donley, Steven Nzonzi, and Bosun Lawal, as well as Bae Junho, who has been playing as a 10, vying for three spots in the midfield.
Stoke are not thought to be looking for a new centre-back, despite ties with Ipswich Town’s Luke Wolfenden.
Lawal and Ben Wilmot have started the first two games, with Ashley Phillips working his way back into the picture. Ben Gibson has recovered from a stop-start preseason, and new acquisition Maksym Talovierov might make his professional debut against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup next Tuesday.
Stoke are set to rely on 19-year-old Jaden Mears to replace Junior Tchamadeu at right-back. Mears, who made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup’s first round, has big ambitions, and Stoke are aware that they must turn to both the academy and the transfer market for solutions.
Tchamadeu, 21, is being considered for Cameroon as they prepare for the African Cup of Nations in December, but Stoke also has Wilmot, Lawal, and even Sorba Thomas to fill in if necessary.
Clayton Wood is relieved with Ryan Mmaee’s departure, as he clearly did not take up a second chance at Stoke after being returned early from loan by Rapid Vienna in January.
He has clearly not made any friends with his approach to professional football in recent months, and his departure amid links to Cyprus clubs serves as a reminder to Stoke of the need of careful diligence.
Stoke City business so far
In: Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town, undisclosed), Maksym Talovierov (Plymouth Argyle, undisclosed), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United, free), Robert Bozenik (Boavista, undisclosed), Steven Nzonzi (Sepahan, free), Lamine Cisse (Bastia, undisclosed), Divin Mubama (Manchester City, loan), Ashley Phillips (Tottenham Hotspur, loan), Jamie Donley (Tottenham Hotspur, loan)
Out: Niall Ennis (Blackpool, undisclosed), Lynden Gooch (Huddersfield Town, free), Michael Rose (released), Enda Stevens (released), Jordan Thompson (Preston North End, free), Wouter Burger (Hoffenheim, undisclosed), Sol Sidibe (PSV Eindhoven, undisclosed), Darius Lipsiuc (Solihull Moors, loan), Tommy Simkin (Leyton Orient, loan), Emre Tezgel (Crewe Alexandra, loan), Nikola Jojic (Radomlje, loan), Nathan Lowe (Stockport County, loan)
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