Yahoo News Stoke City plotting transfer reunion as Brighton starlet linked
Brighton midfielder Andy Moran could be the next arrival at Stoke City this summer - hot on the heels of fellow Republic of Ireland prospect Bosun Lawal.
The Potters confirmed the signing of Lawal from Celtic on Monday, but it seems they are still in the market for more young talent to bolster Steven Schumacher’s midfield.
The Athletic report that Stoke and Bristol City are “heading a queue of Championship clubs” keen to take Moran on loan this season, and it seems there could be some truth to the speculation.
They add: “The 20-year-old scored twice in 35 appearances on loan to Blackburn Rovers last season in the second tier, along with a senior debut for his country.”
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Lawal, described as a 21-year-old powerhouse, has joined Stoke on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £2m, and can play at centre-back or as a defensive midfielder.
Moran and Lawal have played together for Republic of Ireland under-21s, and both scored in a 2-2 draw with Ukraine’s under-21s in Austria last summer. In fact, they were involved in a Republic training camp in Dublin this June, so know each other well.
News of Stoke’s interest in Moran comes on the day they confirmed the transfer of winger Mehdi Léris to Serie B side Pisa after failing to persuade the Algeria international to extend his stay at the bet365 Stadium.
Stoke boss Schumacher had been using the 26-year-old in a defensive role during pre-season as an alternative to Lynden Gooch and Junior Tchamadeu, and his departure will no doubt raise expectations of a return to Stoke for Ki-Jana Hoever after two successful loan spells in the Potteries from Wolves.
Sources within the club have confirmed interest in bringing the Dutchman back for a third spell - plus with his Wolves team-mate Luke Cundle, who spent the second half of last season at the bet365 Stadium.
However, a big concern for the Potters will be the “injury issue” which persuaded Sheffield United to pull out of a deal to sign Hoever after agreeing terms with Wolves.
There is better news on Cundle after it became clear that Portsmouth interest in the 22-year-old is likely to be undermined by his “sizeable wages”.
The Portsmouth News reports: “Pompey boss John Mousinho is a fan, but the sizeable wages Cundle commands would likely be beyond Pompey’s reach.”
Cundle scored two goals in 16 appearances for the Potters after following Schumacher from Plymouth to the Potteries last January.
