Yahoo News Eric Bocat to Stoke City transfer as training absence fires exit talk
Left-back Eric Bocat was reportedly not in pre-season training at Sint Truiden yesterday in what has been taken as a big hint that he will leave the club.
The 24-year-old, who has played as left wing-back for Sint Truiden in the Belgian top flight, had a contract extension until 2025 triggered in March but apparently with the understanding that his club would be able to command a fee this summer but not block his exit. The Belgian press suggest that will be about 1.2 million Euros or £1m.
He had been strongly linked with a move to Trabzonspor in the January window but it is suggested that the clubs couldn't agree a price to get a deal over the line. He was linked by The Sun with interest from Leicester City in the spring too but it's Stoke City who seem to be front of the queue now.
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The local media is now resigned to Bocat's departure, with VoetbalBelgie reporting last night: "No Eric Eric Bocat training at STVV. That was no coincidence. He did not get away in the winter transfer window - Trabzonspor did not make a higher bid. A transfer now appears to be in the works."
HBVL added: "After Jarne Steuckers and Matte Smets, a third outgoing transfer is in the making at STVV. Eric Bocat is almost atStoke City FC. The final details with the English second division team are being finalised."
Stoke have already extended the contract of Enda Stevens for another 12 months. The 33-year-old was an influential figure when available at left-back last season and hopes to conquer the injury problems which have dogged him over the last two or three years.
Steven Schumacher and Jon Walters have already brought in keeper Viktor Johansson from Rotherham and centre-half Ben Gibson from Norwich.
