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Stoke City January transfer window preview and latest rumors

By Matt Bernstein

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Michael O'Neill, Manager of Stoke City looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth at Bet365 Stadium on January 02, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Michael O'Neill, Manager of Stoke City looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth at Bet365 Stadium on January 02, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /
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Stoke City January transfer window preview

Coming off a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, Stoke City will be looking towards to the January transfer window as an opportunity to get the season back on the right track. Currently the Potters are in 8th place in the table, two points back of Watford who have a game in hand. Things need to turn around quickly for Stoke City before they fall out of contention for a playoff spot.

Important dates and details

  • The window opened yesterday, January 2nd, and will run until Monday, February 1st at 11pm.
  • Stoke City will be impacted by Brexit this transfer window in that they will not be able to simply sign players from EU countries. Before a transfer can be initiated, a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) will have to be completed for a player to live and work in the UK. For more info on this process, take a look at Amie Wilson’s article from the Stoke Sentinel.
  • Despite the more complicated process for EU signings, there will be no extended domestic window like we saw in October.

Top Needs

  • Forward(s) – Stoke have just 6 goals in their last 10 matches. They need scoring help to replace injured Tyrese Campbell. In addition to losing Campbell, Steven Fletcher injured his groin in yesterday’s match and could be out for some time. Until Lee Gregory returns, Stoke will only be with only Sam Vokes and Jacob Brown and neither have been reliable scoring options so far this season.
  • Left-Back – The Morgan Fox injury has limited Stoke in their formation selection as they have no current left-back option on the squad. With James McClean and Josh Tymon, Stoke have wing-back options, but cannot play a formation with 4 at the back. Given their success using a 4-2-3-1 this season, adding a left-back on loan, or a young player or veteran on transfer would make sense.

Latest Rumors

Duncan Watmore – the Middlesbrough striker has reportedly not been happy with an offered contract and could be on the move. Other clubs interested are West Brom and Burnley.

Bright Osayi-Samuel – the QPR winger will not be signing a new deal with the club and should be on the move this January. Other clubs interested are Crystal Palace and West Ham.

Rabbi Matondo – the formed Manchester City youngster is rumored to be looking for a loan deal from Shalke where he has made just 3 appearances this season.

Jack Clarke – the Spurs forward continues to look for playing time and has been linked with 3 Championship clubs – Coventry, Sheffield Wednesday, and Stoke. Of these, Clarke has been linked closely to Coventry.

Stoke City players that could be on the way out

Thibauld Verlinden – the young winger has been frustrated with a lack of first-team playing time this season after returning from injury a few weeks back. Understandably, Verlinden feels he needs to be featured more after being with the club since the summer of 2015 and has yet to have an extended run with the first team.

If Verlinden does move elsewhere this window Stoke fans will likely think the young winger was not given enough opportunities. I could see how Stoke might be able to persuade Verlinden as adding a left-back in January would give the winger a more clear opportunity to play.

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