Stoke City may have struck gold with Celtic transfer - Potters could get "£10m" for him | OneFootball

Bosun Lawal has impressed in Stoke City's defence this season, so much so that exit concerns have been raised.

Bosun Lawal has had an excellent start to the new campaign, and, in truth, his Potters career, having spent the vast portion of his first campaign in Staffordshire in the treatment room.

Stoke have undergone their best start to a campaign in 27 years, having won four of their opening five league fixtures, with a home defeat to West Brom just prior to the international break the only disappointment in their league campaign so far.

Under former Coventry City boss Mark Robins, Stoke have proven themselves as a side to fear in the early stages of this season, with impressive victories away to Southampton and their most recent result, a 1-0 home win over Birmingham City.

The Potters defeated the Blues in what was a game without too many clear-cut chances, and it happened to be the man who scored the game's only goal who has stolen the headlines.

Lawal's looping header from Aaron Cresswell's corner left goalkeeper Ryan Allsop scrambling in the net, however he was unable to keep it out and the Irish youth international, who earned a senior call-up to his national team in the recent international break, scored his first goal of the season and for the club.

Stoke City have had to wait to see Bosun Lawal, but he may well have been worth the wait

Some may be surprised to know that this is Lawal's second season in Staffordshire, having joined the Potters last summer in a deal roughly around £2 million from Scottish side Celtic.

The Irishman had spent the previous season on loan in League One with Fleetwood Town, playing 42 matches in the third tier and impressing. This led former Ireland international, Jon Walters, who is Stoke's Sporting Director, to make a move for his compatriot.

However, during his medical, the club were made aware that he had been playing with a stress fracture in his lower back during his time with Fleetwood, but still decided to sign him anyway, hoping that it wouldn't be a prolonged absence period.

Unfortunately for the club though, Lawal spent almost the entire season out, playing just seven times and 202 minutes in the Championship as Stoke narrowly avoided relegation on the final day.

But just three games into this season, the 22-year-old surpassed his minute output from last campaign, and has started in each of the Potters' five league games, and both in the League Cup, cementing himself alongside Ben Wilmot in the side's back four.

The Irishman has looked a composed and dominating figure at centre-back so far, leaving many Stoke fans wondering where they may have been last season had Lawal been fit to play.

Both summer signings Maksym Talovierov and Ashley Phillips, the latter of whom proved to be a fan favourite last campaign in his loan switch from Spurs, can only find room on the bench, such as the excellent form Lawal has been displaying.

Stoke City fans laud Bosun Lawal's performances - it may see admirers flock to bet365 Stadium

Following the Potters' victory on Saturday, fans of the club were quick to scramble to social media to express their delight with the result, and in particular Lawal's performance.

Scoring the winner in any match will likely mean that the player in question naturally steals the headlines. However, for Lawal, it was much of his defensive work and composure on the ball that has got Stoke fans wondering just how they managed to sign him - and he could be worth £10 million already.

Another City supporter has labelled the Irishman as a "Rolls Royce" for his composed displays at the heart of their defence.

This Stoke supporter meanwhile does not foresee Lawal being in the Championship come the 2026-27 season, such is the way he has impressed so far in the red and white shirt.

Another has perhaps gone slightly overboard by labelling Lawal as the best centre-back in the Championship - he may need to show more to take that label.

It would be fair to say that Potters fans are excited about their Irish prospect, but others are already fearing they will be unable to keep a hold of him for too long.

The 22-year-old signed a four-year deal in Staffordshire last summer, meaning he still has just under three years on his current contract, meaning Stoke are under no pressure to sell anytime soon.

However, if he continues to impress and Stoke remain in the Championship, they may face a battle to keep him at the club sooner than they would have hoped.