Stoke City leading race in loan swoop for Everton FC forward - Mark Robins factor mentioned | OneFootball

The Potters are looking to fend off competition for Youssef Chermiti's signature

Stoke City are ahead of several Championship rivals in the race to strike a loan agreement for Everton striker, Youssef Chermiti.

That is according to Africa Foot, with the report claiming that a factor involving Potters boss, Mark Robins, could be key to the Potters' aims of securing a temporary move for the 21-year-old.

Robins is preparing for his first full season in charge of the Staffordshire side, having been appointed as Narcis Pelach's successor on New Year's Day, eventually achieving the club's initial short-term remit of securing Championship survival, as his side finished four places and two points ahead of Luton Town, who were the final club to be relegated to League One.

The Portuguese is keen to see his immediate future confirmed in the coming days, having failed to source regular minutes and starts during his first two seasons on Merseyside, initially joining for £15m from Sporting CP in the summer of 2023 under Sean Dyche.

Stoke City leading Championship race to sign Youssef Chermiti on loan from Everton

During his first season at Goodison Park, Chermiti featured in the Premier League on 18 occasions. However, only one of those appearances came in the starting lineup in a 1-0 home success against Brentford in April 2024.

The youth international's solitary goal for the Toffees also came during this campaign, as he was named in the club's Under-21's side which featured in the EFL Trophy, scoring the winner in a 1-0 win against then-League Two outfit, Mansfield Town at Field Mill.

Unfortunately for the striker, he was unable to build on his initial breakthrough in English football, suffering two long-term hamstring and foot injuries as Everton addressed their dire start to the campaign under Dyche, with David Moyes returning to L4 for a second time, eventually ending the club's 133-year spell at Goodison in some style with eight wins in 20 games.

Chermiti would make four substitute appearances in the final weeks of the campaign, coming off the bench against West Ham United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Ipswich Town, but failing to help aid Everton's goalscoring woes - only the three relegated outfits would score fewer than the Toffees over the course of the 38-game season.

In a bid to gain first-team minutes for the first time since moving from the Estádio José Alvalade, the striker is hoping a temporary move can be finalised in the coming days, with Africa Foot reporting that Stoke are leading the race for his services ahead of the likes of Preston North End, Sheffield United and Oxford United.

The publication also claim that Chermiti has become Stoke's main transfer priority at present, with Robins' relationship with Everton said to be a key factor in proceedings as Stoke also look to conclude a deal as swiftly as possible.

Stoke City, Youssef Chermiti agreement could benefit all parties involved

The Potters ended last season as the Championship's joint-second lowest scorers with a tally of just 45 goals in 46 games, with no player scoring more than five times, with Lewis Baker and Million Manhoef level on the aforementioned total.

Stoke are also looking to reshuffle their attacking options at present, with sporting director Jon Walters stating that Emre Tezgel is likely to leave on loan to enhance his development, whilst League One promotion hopefuls, Huddersfield Town, are plotting a stunning £2.5m raid for Nathan Lowe, who made 10 appearances and five starts for the Reds in the second half of the season after a stellar loan stint with Walsall.

There have been several instances of young forwards dropping into the EFL to boost their profile and goalscoring form, and Chermiti could be the latest to follow said path, and if he was able to net double figures, Stoke will hope it is enough to see them, at least, finish in the top half for the first time since their Premier League relegation seven years ago.