Looking into the crystal ball…and getting nothing back.
Stoke in the transfer window is a bit of a double-edged sword. We can sign worldies such as Bojan and Shaqiri and then we can sign players who fail to impress, mostly being Brek Shea and to some extent Joselu. With us being linked to a number of players I intend to use my extensive experience of refreshing twitter and guesswork to try and figure out who we will sign.
There are two positions in which Stoke need improving; in defence and up the top with a prolific striker. Looking at defence first, Phil Jones the gurning Manchester United centre back has been linked with us for a number of days with papers saying a loan deal is in the air. But he seems reluctant to leave the Manchester outfit for the windy realms of the Potteries.
I still think this deal has legs, and the news about our interest in Sakho can only be attempts to bring this deal forward. Jones played bit parts in the United Pre-season but with reports that Arsenal are interested and Mourinho saying he may have a place could see this deal go to the last day.
Up front the long saga that is Berahino still seems to continue. Will he wont he, who knows! It was odds on that he was going to sign after a fee was agreed between WBA and West Ham for the want away striker Diafra Sakho but after his medical failed the deal was dead again. People “ITK” on twitter are linking Jay Rodriguez possible move to WBA as the catalyst for Berahino to sign for us. But now that also seems to be Enner Valencia.
It wouldn’t be a transfer window now a days if Stoke weren’t linked with a Barcelona reject. This window its Munir, a pacey forward who has played for Spain, but it looks likely he is going to Celta Vigo on loan so that one is dead.
Recent news is that Stoke have bid £17 million for USA 17 year-old international Christian Pulisic. If it were to happen he would become the most expensive American footballer, sorry soccer person. His dad earlier said he doesn’t want to leave Dortmund but £17million is £17 million and for a player who has four other attackers ahead of him in the pecking order, the prospect of playing in the premier league could interest him.
With still a week to go and positions still need filling it could be a very interesting week. A few things will happen Hughes will sign another slight midfielder who has had a chequered past. The old guard of the Pulis era will still be on the payroll. Academy players who we signed and everyone get excited because they will be “one for the future”, will never been seen again. But fingers crossed that come deadline day as we are all sat in front of Sky Sports news gazing at Jim White’s glorious golden tie till the players we need will flood in.
Written by Dan Morris
Trackback from your site.
