Standard Liege close in on Stoke City’s Eric-Junior Bocat | OneFootball

Standard Liege are closing in on Stoke City defender Eric-Junior Bocat (26), according to a report from Sacha Tavolieri.

Initially, the Belgian side had made a move to sign RC Strasbourg Alsace defender Eduard Sobol (30). The Ukraine international has featured rarely for Strasbourg since making the move back in 2023, and spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan back in Belgium with KRC Genk.

Sobol has played just two minutes for Strasbourg so far this season. Standard Liege discussed a move with the defender, however, they have now turned their focus to Bocat. The Frenchman joined Stoke City from Sint-Truiden back in 2024 for a €1.2m fee, but could now be set to return to Belgium.

Bocat, who featured at academy level for Dijon, Stade Brestois, and Lille OSC, has played five games in all competitions for Stoke this season. The left-back is now Standard Liege’s priority target at left-back as they look to strengthen their defence before the closure of the transfer window.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle