Stoke City: Wouter Burger exit fears may soon be raised after January transfer saga | OneFootball

Wouter Burger said he was "disappointed" not to be allowed to join FC Midtjylland in the winter transfer window

Stoke City almost lost one of their star players in the closing hours of the winter transfer window, and surely the Potters must fear further interest this summer.

Whilst battling relegation from the Championship on the pitch, Stoke also face a fight on their hands to keep Wouter Burger at the bet365 Stadium.

The Potters must be fearing that Burger has outgrown Stoke, and, as such, will push for a move away this summer.

Deadline day move that broke down for Wout Burger still fresh in the memory

Wouter Burger arrived at Stoke during a busy transfer window at the start of the 2023/24 campaign, paying Swiss giants FC Basel a rumoured £4.3million for the midfielder’s services.

The Dutchman swapped regular European football to play in the Championship, arriving as one of 18 summer signings at Stoke.

However, during his two years in the Potteries, he has been embroiled in two relegation battles, hardly befitting a player of his quality and pedigree.

With that in mind, Stoke must be prepared to part ways with the 24-year-old this summer.

Effectively, the Potters have admitted as such, with the only thing preventing Stoke from allowing Burger to leave in the last transfer window the fact that they could not source a replacement for their midfield star at such short notice.

Burger had 'reportedly' completed a medical with FC Midtjylland on deadline day, following a month of speculation linking the Dutchman to a move to Denmark.

However, Stoke called off the move when it became apparent that they could not sign another player to replace Burger.

With the best part of six months to prepare for the eventuality, Stoke will find it hard to stay in Burger’s way come the summer – and the Potters should have no excuse for not sourcing a proper replacement.

To his credit, Burger admitted that he felt “disappointed” by the breakdown of the move, but has since rallied with improved performances as Stoke fight to remain in the Championship.

He told the Stoke Sentinel: “It looked to me like a great opportunity but when it didn’t happen I just wanted to be there for the team.

“It’s never been that I now drive to Stoke thinking I don’t want to be here.

“No, I really like to be here and I like to give everything to the club.

“That’s my mentality and I try to do everything I can to help everyone.”

Versatile Wouter Burger likely to be subject to further interest this summer

Aside from his consistent performances, clubs will be impressed by Wouter Burger’s versatility.

Whilst at the bet365 Stadium, Burger has been used throughout the spine of the Stoke side, playing as a holding midfielder, slightly higher up, and even as advanced as a number 10, during his time in Europe, Burger found himself out wide.

In fact, when Stoke signed the Dutchman from FC Basel in 2023, he was described as a winger.

Not only had Burger played out wide in an attacking role, but he has previously been deployed at full-back.

Aside from his exploits on the flanks in the past, Burger’s 6ft 3in frame has been utilised at centre-back, with the Dutch youth international more than happy to help his side out in any way possible.

Stoke will be hoping that interest in Burger has now cooled, with the Dutchman clearly focusing on his duties with the Potters. However, you sense it could be quite the opposite after how January played out.