Stoke City urged to seal transfer agreement for Leyton Orient star - He would "thrive under Mark Robins" | OneFootball

FLW's Stoke City fan pundit has identified one realistic transfer they'd love to see the Potters make this summer.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Stoke City will be hoping manager Mark Robins can deliver a strong first summer transfer window in charge of the Potters as they look to start moving in the right direction in the Championship next season.

Having arrived in the new year following the departure of Narcis Pelach, Robins was able to guide the Potters to an 18th-placed finish in the second tier this past season.

However, the former Coventry City boss has described his first few months as Stoke City manager as having to deal with "so many hand grenades" left over from the previous regime.

Now preparing to lead the club into his first summer transfer window, the 55-year-old will be looking to really put his stamp on the Stoke squad, and hopefully deliver a team that is ready to start competing at the other end of the second tier table from next term onwards.

"Such a tidy player" - Stoke City told to sign Leyton Orient star Ethan Galbraith this summer

We asked our Stoke City fan pundit, Sam Harrison: 'What is one realistic signing you'd love Stoke to make this summer and why?'

Sam said: "In terms of one realistic signing I'd love Stoke to make, it would be if we could bring in Ethan Galbraith.

"Now, I think this could be massively dependent on whether Leyton Orient get promoted to the Championship. Obviously they won't want to lose him.

"But, if they do miss out in the play-offs, could Ethan Galbraith be on the move? Quite possibly. The reason I want him, or think that he would be great for Stoke, is that I think he is going to attract a lot of attention.

"24-years old, Northern Ireland international; I think Stoke have lost a versatile player in Jordan Thompson. He could play in midfield and at left-back. Galbraith is another one that is versatile.

"Such a tidy player. He can either play in midfield or at right-back, and I think in terms of Stoke, when you're looking at it, Junior Tchamadeu has made that right-back role his own, and it's great to see.

"The season before, it was him and Ki-Jana Hoever. This season, there's not been any real competition for Tchamadeu. I think Galbraith, the tidy player that he is, the way he moves the ball, his dribbling ability, his crossing - I think he's just such a tidy player that you can have in your team."

Ethan Galbraith appears to have outgrown League One football with Leyton Orient

A Manchester United academy graduate, Galbraith has certainly been showcasing his star potential over the last two seasons as a Leyton Orient player.

Ahead of Orient's League One play-off final against Charlton Athletic on 25 May, Galbraith has made 95 total appearances for the club since arriving in the summer of 2023, scoring 11 times and providing 10 assists in that time.

10 of those goals and nine of those assists have come in League One, a league in which the Northern Irishman has proven himself to be a cut above in over the last two years.

As such, he could be set for a big-money move this summer, especially if Leyton Orient fall short at Wembley Stadium against the Addicks.

"I think he brings both," Sam continued. "You've got a midfielder there that's quality on the ball, but also a right-back that's been absolutely fantastic this season for Leyton Orient, that's going to provide that competition for Tchamadeu.

"So for me, I just think Stoke possibly need to be looking at League One and looking at the talents that are there, and providing that opportunity.

"You've seen a number of teams who have looked at League One, had their players, brought them in and have kicked on. So, I think it obviously could be dependent on the play-offs.

"Ethan Galbraith: tidy player, versatile, and just provides that competition that Stoke needs. I think he's one that would absolutely thrive under Mark Robins.

"However, you're looking at it, if Stoke were to try and go in for him, there's probably not a substantial price-tag on him, but he won't come cheap."