Stoke City are in a desperate fight to avoid relegation from the EFL Championship, with their inconsistent performances leaving the club in a precarious position.
After 29 games, the Potters have accumulated just 29 points, sitting dangerously close to the bottom of the table. With just one win in their last five league games, Stoke City know reinforcements are needed to boost their chances of survival.
The club's transfer strategy has focused on finding affordable but impactful players who can immediately improve the team. One of the names now being linked with Stoke City is Connor Chaplin, a standout player for Ipswich Town.
READ MORE: Stoke City target former Premier League champion to bolster midfield
The 27-year-old attacking midfielder has been a key player for Ipswich this season, making 16 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist in around 700 minutes of play.
Stoke City have sounded out Ipswich Town’s Conor Chaplin and Birmingham City’s Krystian Bielik.
— We are Stoke (@weare_stoke) January 29, 2025
Both deals are difficult and will be last days deals if they are to be done.
Source: @FrazFletcher
🟥⬜️ pic.twitter.com/9lsP3WrfMb
Chaplin's technical ability and attacking vision could be a valuable addition to a Stoke City side struggling to create goalscoring opportunities. Signing him will not be easy, however, as his contract with Ipswich Town runs until June 2026, and his current market value is over €18m.
This figure could be a major hurdle for Stoke City, who are not in a strong financial position to compete with other clubs interested in the player.
Can Stoke City secure a key signing?
Despite the financial challenge, reports indicate that Stoke City have already enquired about Chaplin's availability. The club's management are weighing up their options, knowing that competition for the player's signature could be fierce.
Chaplin, still in his prime at 27, is highly valued in English football, and other Championship clubs could also look to sign him.
Since Mark Robins took over as head coach, Stoke City have been trying to find a way to stabilise their performances and avoid relegation to League One. Bringing in a player of Chaplin’s quality could provide a much-needed spark in attack. However, whether Stoke City can afford such a high-profile signing remains uncertain as the transfer window progresses.