Stoke City’s latest transfer news and commentary from StokeonTrentLive, with Aston Villa teenager a possible target as FFP issues bite.
Stoke City’s aspirations to conduct business during the January transfer window are likely to be overshadowed by the age-old issue of financial fair play.
After finally getting their house in order during Michael O’Neill’s tenure, Stoke have gone on to hire an increasing number of managers and players to fulfil their vision for the club.
The difficulty is that they rarely stayed long enough to see any vision come to fruition, and their successors inherited players who were deemed unsuitable for the next Stoke City reboot.
Crucially, all of this movement has depleted the funds available for transactions, necessitating a cautious approach to the bargain-basement players who may become available next month.
As a result, loans could play a significant role in what is done, with both returning players and those brought in from abroad.
There has been a lot of buzz in recent days about adolescent striker Nathan Lowe returning from League Two Walsall, where he scored ten goals to propel the Sadlers to the top of the table.
While such a move cannot be ruled out – many League One clubs would be eager to try young Lowe at a higher level – he is unlikely to return to the bet365 Stadium to play for the Potters this season.
No, Stoke may be focussing on Aston Villa and former Barcelona forward Louie Barry, who is already impressing in League One.
Since joining Stockport County on loan in the summer of 2023, the 21-year-old has scored 24 goals in 44 games, guiding the club win promotion last season and into the play-offs this season.
However, Villa have recalled him with the intention of sending him back to a higher-level club, and while Leeds United are now regarded as a likely destination, Stoke may yet pull off a surprise.
They have one loan slot available to fill, assuming Lewis Koumas stays beyond next month, and have a solid working relationship with Villa after borrowing Jaden Philogene for half a season two years back. And the necessity for a prospective wide man has gotten much more pressing because Million Manhoef was ruled out for up to three months.
Of course, all of this chatter about transfers raises one very difficult question: will Narcis Palach still be in charge when the dust settles on Stoke’s minimal January business? Nothing is fixed in stone as three tough opponents, Leeds, Sunderland, and Burnley, await.
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