Stoke City transfer latest amid late striker talks...

Stoke City transfer latest amid late striker talks

While negotiations with Rapid Vienna continue to discuss ending Ryan Mmaee’s loan in Austria, he is anticipated to

return to Stoke City early.

The 27-year-old striker injured his quad during his first training session with Rapid, which has prevented him from

playing any minutes thus far. He returned to full fitness, but last week he suffered a hamstring injury during a

friendly over winter break, and he will probably be out for another four to six weeks.

This season, Rapid has had terrible luck with strikers, none more so than Guido Burgstaller, who was attacked in

Vienna in December and suffered a fractured skull. As they get ready to resume operations over the weekend, they

had hoped that Mmaee would assist to fill the hole.

However, in the closing hours of the transfer window, they have been considering various options, and in order to

terminate the Mmaee loan at this point, an agreement between the three parties must be reached tonight. If Mmaee

returns to Clayton Wood, Rapid will still cover the majority of his salary.

This month, Stoke lost Tom Cannon, but they also sent Niall Ennis on loan to Blackpool, brought in Ali Al-Hamadi,

and recalled Nathan Lowe. Under Robins, Emre Tezgel will have an opportunity, Lewis Koumas can also play in the

midfield, while Sam Gallagher is recuperating from a hamstring strain.

If the proper agreement can be reached and Stoke is aware of any additional opportunities that may arise as the

pieces come into place, there is still a slim chance that they might sign a sixth loan player before 11 p.m.