Stoke City and Steven Schumacher must cash in on Saudi Arabia interest: View | OneFootball

Stoke City striker Ryan Mmaee is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Kholood.

It is a big summer for Stoke City after they secured survival in the Championship.

Optimism was high at the bet365 Stadium heading into last season after a huge influx of signings over the summer, but the Potters made a poor start to the campaign, resulting in the sacking of Alex Neil in December.

Steven Schumacher made the move from Plymouth Argyle to replace Neil, and although the 39-year-old endured a tough start to his tenure, he led the club to safety as they finished 17th in the table.

Stoke City rebuild underway

Schumacher is facing a big rebuilding job this summer, and a host of senior players have left the club at the end of their contracts, including Ciaran Clark, Tom Edwards, D'Margio Wright-Phillips, Wesley and Tyrese Campbell.

Stoke had already brought in Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson and Norwich City defender Ben Gibson, and they completed their third signing of the summer on Wednesday with the addition of Sint-Truiden defender Eric Bocat.

Bocat will not be the last new arrival in the Potteries this summer, but with finances at the club likely to be restricted, Schumacher may need to sell in order to strengthen his squad.

According to L'Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi, Ryan Mmaee is attracting interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Kholood, and after an underwhelming first season at the club, Stoke must consider cashing in on the striker.

Steven Schumacher must sanction Ryan Mmaee departure to Saudi Arabia

Mmaee joined Stoke from Hungarian side Ferencvaros last summer for a fee of around £1.75 million, but it is fair to say the move has not worked out.

The 26-year-old was a regular in the first half of the season under Neil, and he was a starter in the early stages of Schumacher's reign, but he was dropped from the first team and forced to train with the Under-21s in February due to disciplinary reasons.

Schumacher opened up on Mmaee's situation, telling Stoke-on-Trent Live: "We set out on the first day about the standards we expect at the training ground.

"It's not fair to demand things from the whole squad and there's one person who was letting staff and players down.

"It sends a message that we're serious about what we're saying.

"I'm going not to come here and flippantly say something. We have to back up what we say and what we require from the players.

"At the moment, Ryan isn't available.

"The door is never permanently shut on any player but things have to change from his point of view if he wants to make an impact back in this team."

Schumacher insisted that there was a way back for Mmaee, and he made a surprise return to the squad in March, but after featuring in four consecutive games, he suffered a hamstring injury in April that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Mmaee ended his first season at the bet365 Stadium with four goals and four assists in 27 appearances, and that total is unlikely to be enough for him to force his way into Schumacher's plans for next season.

The striker clearly did enough to convince Schumacher to allow him to come back into the fold, but the fact he was sidelined in the first place is a concern, and as Schumacher looks to oversee a much-needed cultural reset at the club this summer, it would make sense to sell those who have fallen below the standards he expects.

Stoke spent big money on Mmaee, and while he has shown glimpses of his ability, his signing is symbolic of the disastrous recruitment of former technical director Ricky Martin last summer.

The Potters will be desperate to recoup at least some of the fee they paid for Mmaee, and considering the vast financial resources of clubs in Saudi Arabia, selling him to Al-Kholood could be the best option for the club.

Mmaee's departure would not only help to balance the books after Martin's wasteful spending last summer, but it would also provide crucial funds for Schumacher to strengthen his squad.

Million Manhoef looks set to shine for Stoke next season after his strong end to the campaign, while Schumacher has plenty of faith in Niall Ennis, so the Potters would not be left too light in the forward areas if Mmaee was to move on, and they would likely bring in a replacement.

Given their significant investment in him, it will be hugely disappointing for Stoke that Mmaee failed to deliver, and while they may be open to giving him another chance next season, they cannot miss the opportunity to cash in on him this summer.