We’re now a whole week into January – already. Which of course means the winter window is wide, wide open. Here at ASU, we’ll keep you updated…
So, with nearly eight full days of the window gone, have Stoke City readied themselves to get their hands dirty? Let’s recap all of the talk from week one.
Stoke City arrivals
Signings:
Lee Grant (Derby County)
So far, the window as a whole has been relatively quiet, with only a minimal amount of moves finalised for the majority of Premier League clubs.
Stoke City have put themselves on the list by eventually capturing the full-time services of keeper Lee Grant from Derby County.
The 33-year-old has been ever-present in the Stoke City goal since his arrival on-loan in the summer. The desired permanent deal though was much tougher work.
Mark Hughes made it publicly aware on more than one occasion that he was unsure the deal for Grant would ever go through, as the Potters were growing keen to get the deal done.
Derby eventually accepted the bid for £1.5m, which could rise to £2m.
Rumours:
Davie Selke: (Red Bull Leipzig)
Hughes, despite the recent resurgence of Peter Crouch, is aware the striking problem at Stoke City needs sorting.
Selke is a potential option for the Potters on-loan for the rest of this season. Hughes has admitted interest in the forward.
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RB Leipzig is currently flying high in the Bundesliga, although Selke struggles for consistent playing time.
Despite this, the 21-year-old has scored twice in nine games, as well as netting 10 in 30 last campaign.
Manolo Gabbiadini: (Napoli)
Another forward option that Hughes is keen on pursuing. Similar to Selke, Gabbiadini isn’t enjoying an awful lot of playing time at Napoli of late.
The Italian has featured only 12 times in Serie A this season, scoring twice.
Stoke City departures
Signings: None
Rumours:
Bojan Krkic: (Las Palmas, Valencia, Middlesbrough)
Bojan has been subject to most of the rumours surrounding the Bet365 exit door. Currently being courted by a number of La Liga sides, Bojan’s future is slightly unknown.
While Hughes has tried to calm things by promising more game time for the Spaniard, Aitor Karanka has expressed interest in the playmaker and wouldn’t be against seeing him on Teesside.
With Joe Allen and Ibrahim Afellay both vying for the same position, could Bojan’s time in Staffordshire be about to draw to a close?
Glen Johnson: (West Ham)
The Stoke City right-back has been the latest added to the pile of ‘wants’ to Slaven Bilic’s list.
The Hammers have been arguably the most active of sides in the top-flight, but their bids for the likes of Jermain Defoe have been met with a lot of resistance.
Hughes, meanwhile, has declared that Johnson isn’t for sale, to West Ham or any other side.
It seems that the Englishman may be staying put, for now.