‘Initial Contact’ – Club In Mix For Stoke City Star, Rival Burnley | OneFootball

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Ligue 1 side Monaco have joined Burnley and 1.FC Koln in the chase for Stoke City left-back Eric Bocat.

Bocat played for Stoke on Saturday in their Championship clash against Southampton, clocking 81 minutes as the Potters were beaten 3-1.

Stoke have now lost back to back Championship games in a less than ideal start for Mark Robins’ men, though Bocat scored in the opener, a 2-1 loss to Swansea City.

Bocat could have an escape route from the Potters’ struggles before the transfer window closes at the start of September.

The left-back has interest from German side Koln, while Burnley would like to keep him in the Championship.

Now, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Monaco are in the mix and have shortlisted Bocat as one of two left-back options.

Action as been taken by the Ligue 1 club as ‘initial contact has been made with Stoke City’, though nothing is expected to happen before next week.

Bocat attracted big interest from Belgian side Standard Liege ahead of the winter transfer window earlier this year and last summer, but remained at Stoke.

The 27-year-old was signed by the Potters from Belgian club Sint-Truiden in the summer 2024 transfer window.

Joining a club of Monaco’s stature could have huge appeal for Bocat.

He made 29 Championship appearances last term, with Robins at the helm, and has played in all three of Stoke’s games so far this season.

Stoke are next in action against Premier League new boys Hull City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night and all eyes will be on whether Bocat is involved, as it may offer a potential transfer clue.

The French defender, who spent time in the youth set-ups of Dijon, Brest and Nice, has another two years left to run on his current contract in the Potteries.