Are Stoke City The Favorites To Sign Ryan Porteous?

Whether it be the summer or winter transfer window, the rumor mill is usually always going in full force. And even during a World Cup year unlike any other season before, there’s no exception to that rumor mill continuing to spit out names and reports — Including one player that keeps popping up and being possibly linked to a Stoke City move this January.

Per multiple media reports, Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous could be one possible target for Stoke City in January’s transfer window. The 23 year old center-back, per the same reports, is said to have not signed a long-term deal with his current club and is destined to sign elsewhere come January.

Porteous, who plays at Hibs in the Scottish Premiership, is one of the most sought after transfer targets in the Scottish Premiership, the Championship, and possibly even Serie A side Hellas Verona.

Porteous to Stoke City, a Lock?

The competition to sign Ryan Porteous will definitely be very competitive and this isn’t the first time Stoke City have been linked to having interest in Porteous. So just like past transfer windows when Stoke City didn’t get Porteous, The Potters are not a lock to scoop him up.

But unlike in the past, Stoke City do have one advantage this time around…Alex Neil. Stoke City manager Alex Neil who is from Scotland, could help persuade his fellow Scotsman Porteous to join up with The Potters.

Another advantage Stoke City have (as they always do), The Potters and Neil can use the “possible future Premier League factor” to help convince Porteous to sign. Now of course Stoke City aren’t in the Premier League right now and have some work to do if they want to be promoted, but selling Porteous on a future EPL team could go a long way as well.

Is all that enough to land Ryan Porteous? Time will tell. However, Stoke City do appear to be in a great position this time around to land Porteous.