Birmingham City & Southampton must move after Stoke City transfer error | OneFootball

Stoke City's Bae Jun-Ho is set to leave the Potters in 2027, as both Birmingham City and Southampton should prepare moves

Stoke City head into the international break five games unbeaten in the Championship, but there have been a few notable absences from the side in recent weeks.

Stoke lost each of their three opening league games to begin the season, and having found success since switching from a 4-2-3-1 shape to a 3-4-2-1 shape, the Potters haven't looked back.

Robins' decision to change shape at the very end of the transfer window has, so far, looked to be a masterstroke, though this switch has not come without casualties.

Million Manhoef, Tomas Rigo, and Bae Jun-ho, each of whom were key players for the Potters last season, have seen their game time slashed as of late, and Bae's situation, in particular, is growing increasingly worrying.

Why Championship clubs should be clamouring to sign Bae Jun-Ho on a free transfer next summer

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Bae, 23, joined Stoke in the summer of 2023 for around £2 million from South Korean side Daejeon Hana Citizen, and across the three following seasons, he has been an almost ever-present in the side.

The three-capped Korean international has made 140 appearances for the Potters across all competitions, but has often flattered to deceive, scoring just eight and assisting 15 in that period, frustrating supporters with his lack of end product.

However, only a fool would deny his undoubted ability, and a move away from Stoke may prove to be the catalyst to reignite his career, as so many have previously found to be the case.

It seemed certain an exit would be sanctioned in the summer, and with French giants Lyon reportedly interested, a move away from the Potteries seemed a given for Bae.

However, he has remained in North Staffordshire, and with less than 12 months remaining on his deal, there is a very real chance Stoke could lose him for nothing in 2027, as Football League World takes a look at two Championship clubs that should be looking to take advantage of this situation.

Birmingham City

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Birmingham City, in the opening stages of the season, appear to have sacrificed some attacking prowess in favour of becoming increasingly difficult to beat, and with two wins, five draws, and one defeat in their opening eight Championship games, with just 12 goals scored, it would be safe to suggest that has been the case.

Chris Davies' side have some of the best wide attacking options in the entire division, boasting the likes of Carlos Vicente, Demarai Gray, Patrick Roberts, and Liam Millar in that area of the pitch.

However, the Blues are noticeably short in the attacking midfield position, with Jay Stansfield tending to operate in that role, with no real alternative available.

Sporting Gijon's Cesar Gelabert was reportedly a player of interest to Birmingham over the summer, as was Portsmouth's Adrian Segecic. However, neither deal was able to be completed, and with Kanya Fujimoto and Kyogo Furuhashi having left the club since, Davies isn't exactly blessed with options there.

The attacking midfield position is an area in need of addressing in the next couple of windows, as Blues should be looking to take advantage of Bae's contract situation at Stoke, and offer him an escape route just an hour down the road.

Tenacious off the ball and capable of thriving in tight areas, Bae has predominantly operated in the number ten role throughout his career, but can also play on either flank, and would provide excellent competition in the final third for Davies to pick from.

On a free transfer, the 23-year-old is bound to attract interest from clubs across the globe, though Birmingham should be offering him the opportunity to remain in the Championship, in a low-risk, high-reward switch.

Southampton

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Southampton, like Birmingham, will have ambitions of achieving promotion this season, especially after last season's fiasco, in which they were expelled from the Championship play-offs for spying on opponents.

The Saints can boast one of the best forward lines in the division, with the likes of Leo Scienza, Tom Fellows, Finn Azaz, Cyle Larin, Divin Mubama, Kuryu Matsuki, and Lewis Dobbin to pick from.

However, Dobbin has not started well since his summer move from Aston Villa, and though time will tell whether the former Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion loanee will come good, an improvement could be made in that area of the pitch.

Azaz is one of Southampton's most important players, with the Irish attacking midfielder consistently putting up excellent numbers in the English second tier, and could do with some competition, as the Saints should consider a move for Bae.

Regardless of which division they are in next campaign, Bae would be a solid alternative to Azaz in the number ten position, and on a free transfer, his capture must be one that they consider.

Still just 23, a coach like Eckert, as long as he is still at St Mary's, could get the best out of the Korean and help to improve his overall game, in what could be a bargain move for the Saints.