Stoke City deal for Man Utd man could accelerate 26-year-old's Potters exit | OneFootball

Harry Amass' arrival at Stoke City would surely seal an exit for Belgium-linked left-back Eric Bocat this January

If Stoke City get a deal over the line for Manchester United's Harry Amass this January, it would likely spell the end of Eric Bocat's time in the Potteries, having recently been linked with a return to Belgium.

Stoke City began the 2025/26 EFL Championship season in fine form, winning four of their opening five games to propel them up the table.

Though following a spell of just two wins in ten outings, the Potters have dropped out of the top six places, having spent much of the campaign there.

Now, with back-to-back away wins over Hull City and Norwich City, they are once again within touching distance of the play-off picture, and under the guidance of former Coventry City boss Mark Robins, Potters fans will still have the belief that they can finally obtain a top-six finish.

As with almost every club in the division, the January transfer window is a huge one for Stoke, who will be looking to add reinforcements in key areas of the pitch to boost those aspirations.

With Aaron Cresswell, Eric Bocat and Ben Gibson out injured, as with Junior Tchamadeu at AFCON, Stoke have been left thin in the full-back area, and have seen themselves linked with Manchester United's Harry Amass, who spent the first half of the season on loan with Sheffield Wednesday.

Should Amass complete a switch to the Potteries, it will likely mean the end of Bocat's time at the club, with a return to Belgium having already been rumoured.

Harry Amass deal would likely end Eric Bocat's time at Stoke City amid Standard Liege interest

Indeed, Bocat has found himself as the second-choice option behind Aaron Cresswell in the Potteries this season, and as a result has seen his game time limited.

The Frenchman has made just ten league appearances this season, and since sustaining an injury after Stoke's 2-1 home win over Swansea City, he has been out of the squad.

Having signed for the club from Belgian side Sint-Triuden in the summer of 2024, Bocat was linked with a return to Belgium this summer, with Standard Liege interested in signing the 26-year-old.

Though no deal went through in the summer, interest from Liege has not dissipated, with it being reported as recently as December that he remains their 'number one target'.

If Stoke can fend off competition from other clubs in the Championship for Amass' signature, it would surely spell the end of Bocat's time in Staffordshire, with it being unlikely that Cresswell is going anywhere, having only signed in the summer.

In what has been a nightmare campaign for Sheffield Wednesday, sitting at the foot of the table with little hope of climbing any places anytime soon, Amass has been a shining light.

The Manchester United loanee has won the Owls' Player of the Month for the last two months, and his loan spell at Hillsborough has now expired following the defeat away to Queens Park Rangers.

At 18, Amass is one of the brightest talents in English football right now and looks destined for a top career.

Should Stoke seal his capture, he will provide a completely different option to that of Cresswell at left-back, given that Amass is quite literally half his age.

The United man will provide energy and dynamism down the left flank, something which Cresswell is unable to offer, given his age.

With Cameroonian right-back Junior Tchamadeu on the other side of the defence, the Potters will have an abundance of pace and energy from both of their wing-backs, something which Robins will be hoping can help them in their continued hunt for a play-off place this campaign.