In this transfer window, several EFL Championship teams have shown interest in Stoke City players, with Blackburn Rovers being particularly keen on Lewis Baker of The Potters.
As Baker's contract expires in June 2025 and with no renewal agreement reached, it's likely he will depart in this transfer window to ensure Stoke City receives a fee rather than losing him for free.
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Who Would Blackburn Rovers Offer in Exchange for Lewis Baker?
It’s rumored that Stoke City is looking to acquire a defensive midfielder from Blackburn Rovers in exchange. The speculation suggests that 26-year-old Lewis Travis might be the player involved. Travis has been a key figure for Blackburn Rovers, having spent most of his career there, although he was on loan to Ipswich Town last season, a team that has since been promoted to the Premier League.
Blackburn and Stoke are haggling over a swap deal for midfielders Lewis Baker and Lewis Travis.
— We are Stoke (@weare_stoke) August 4, 2024
Baker is rated at £2.5 million despite being in the last year of his deal. Rovers will demand similar for Travis.
Source: Alan Nixon
📸 Getty/Camerasport
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Travis has returned to Blackburn Rovers, and his departure seems imminent, especially with his contract running until June 2026, making a move more likely.
The exchange would involve Lewis Baker, valued at €2.5 million as he is in the final year of his contract, and Lewis Travis, valued at €3.5 million. Despite Travis being younger, this could be a beneficial swap for Stoke City.
Travis remains an interesting player, with significant experience in the EFL Championship, which would be crucial for Steve Schumacher's squad. Meanwhile, Lewis Baker seems less committed to continuing with Stoke City, making this exchange potentially imminent. We should know more in the coming days.