Stoke City transfer round-up: Sam Clucas stance updated, Interest emerges in Potters defender   | OneFootball

Stoke City are facing a crucial period over the next few weeks as they aim to get their squad ready for their opening match of the 2021/22 Championship campaign.

Michael O’Neill’s side have so far managed to secure the arrivals of Watford defender Ben Wilmot as a replacement for Nathan Collins who has made a big-money move to Burnley.

While former Gillingham goalkeeper Jack Bonham has arrived to provide competition for places in the goalkeeping department after Angus Gunn returned to Southampton.

The likes of Kevin Wimmer, Jordan Cousins, Liam Lindsay and Ryan Woods have also already left the Potters as Michael O’Neill aims to reduce the wage budget at Stoke.

There is still a lot more work to be done for the Potters in the transfer window and there is still a lot of reports emerging over potential incomings and outgoings that might occur over the next few weeks.

With that in mind, here we take a look at all of the latest transfer news surrounding the Potters…

O’Neill’s stance over Sam Clucas revealed amid transfer interest

One player that has been heavily linked with a potential exit from Stoke throughout the window so far is midfielder Sam Clucas.

It has been reported that the likes of Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers are all interested in signing him and that he could be made available by the Potters.

While Football Insider have also revealed that West Brom are also in the race to secure the midfielder’s signature and that it might take a sum of around £3 million to make any move for him happen.

However, according to the latest update from the Stoke Sentinel, O’Neill is wanting to preferably keep hold of Clucas for next season and still have him as a key part of his plans in the Championship. That comes despite his injury issues having limited his impact for them last term.

Despite wanting to keep hold of Clucas, O’Neill is acknowledging that he might have to be allowed to leave the club during the transfer window. That comes with him entering the final 12 months of his current deal and therefore putting him in a complicated position.

Quiz: What was the score the last time Stoke City played each of these 25 teams?

Bruno Martins Indi attracting interest from AZ Alkmaar

Another player that could be heading for the exit door at Stoke once again this summer is defender Bruno Martins Indi.

It is being reported by the Stoke Sentinel that the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar are keen to now secure a permanent transfer for him after he spent the last season out on loan with them.

The 29-year-old was a key performer for AZ Alkmaar last term as he helped them reach the Europa League with a third-place finish in the Eredivisie. That came with the defender managing to make 27 league appearances and helping them record eight clean sheets in the process.

It is believed that with Stoke keen to lower their wage bill, the defender might be allowed to make the permanent switch to Holland this summer and re-sign with AZ Alkmaar.

Given the Dutch club are interested and the Potters need to get his wages off the books it is a move that makes sense all-around you would have to say.