There would have been more than a few raised eyebrows at the bet365 Stadium this summer as Stoke City bid farewell to Josh Laurent after two years with the club.
Although there had been rumours about the playmaker’s future during the off-season, the small cash received by the Potters would have been a disappointment.
The 29-year-old midfielder was expected to command a seven-figure fee upon leaving Staffordshire. However, Burnley paid only £500,000 for his services, making him a bargain for the Clarets, who have seen him become a regular presence at Turf Moor in recent months.
Laurent has contributed as the Lancashire club seeks a quick return to the Premier League, and if they succeed, not only will Scott Parker’s side celebrate, but City will also benefit.
Stoke City could still benefit from Josh Laurent, Burnley deal
Laurent’s future at Stoke City has been the subject of much discussion this summer, with a number of clubs reportedly interested in the playmaker as he enters the final year of his contract.
Despite Stoke accepting a bid, a potential move to Turkish club Sivasspor was rejected, while League One side Birmingham City was also reportedly interested.
Laurent’s future remained uncertain during the summer transfer season until Parker and Burnley offered him a move to Turf Moor with only a few days remaining.
At £500,000, it was one of the Championship’s best bargains of the summer, with Laurent establishing his worth with Stoke over the previous two seasons before signing as a free agent in the summer of 2022.
Although he only scored five goals in 72 league games, his creativity and vision provided a solid foundation for his team to build on, making the six-figure transfer fee seem insignificant.
| Josh Laurent’s stats for Stoke City (according to Transfermarkt) | |||
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2022-23 | 36 | 5 | 3 |
| 2023-24 | 40 | 3 | 3 |
If Burnley secures promotion this season, they will likely pay extra money to Stoke in the summer, with add-ons to last year’s transaction expected to reach £1 million. Many argue that this cost should have been agreed upon earlier.
Josh Laurent can play part in Burnley promotion push
With that extra windfall in mind, the Potteries will cast more than a passing gaze towards Turf Moor in the coming months, as Laurent attempts to maintain the pressure at the top of the table in the goal of gaining promotion.
The midfielder scored his first two goals of the season in a 5-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. He hopes to increase his total in the coming months, with Premier League football being the ultimate goal.
Whether he has started or come off the bench, the ex-Reading player has contributed to a well-drilled side that has recently kept pace with the leaders, with a four-way battle for the top two automatic promotion spots looking set to last until the end of the season.
Right now, it’s anyone’s guess who will cross the finish line and reach the promised land, but Stoke and Burnley fans will be hoping that the Clarets do so when everything is said and done in May.
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