Stoke City, Nathan Lowe transfer truth emerges amid £2.5m claim involving Huddersfield Town | OneFootball

Nathan Lowe's Stoke City future now appears clearer following reports of a potential £2.5m move to Huddersfield Town

In a fresh twist, it has emerged that Stoke City are not willing to sanction Nathan Lowe's exit from the Bet 365 Stadium following strong links with a move to Huddersfield Town.

According to a recent report from the Stoke Sentinel, Lowe is not for sale ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

This development comes after The Sun's Alan Nixon claimed via his exclusive Patreon service over the weekend that Stoke were considering cashing in on Lowe for a £2.5 million figure amid strong interest from League One side Huddersfield Town, who were quoted as "getting close to paying it."

However, it does not appear as though that is the case.

Instead, Lowe looks set to be kept around Mark Robins' squad for pre-season and will be looking to prove himself under the ex-Coventry City boss after starting on just five occasions in the Championship last season after January, having been recalled from a fruitful loan spell in League Two with Walsall - where he posted a mightily-impressive return of 18 goals and seven assists from just 30 appearances for the Saddlers across all competitions.

This will, however, offer something of a blow for Huddersfield, who have enjoyed an impressive start to the window under new head coach Lee Grant by signing the likes of Sean Roughan, Joe Low, Murray Wallace, Marcus Harness, Ryan Ledson and Josh Feeney but remain rather desperately in the market for striking reinforcements.

Stoke City, Nathan Lowe transfer truth emerges amid £2.5m Huddersfield Town claim

Nixon's aforementioned report claimed that Stoke were considering a sale at the right price, with Huddersfield willing to meet the quoted £2.5 million figure.

According to Nixon, the debate was the size of the bonuses to hit the figure.

However, although Huddersfield's interest is noted in the Stoke Sentinel's latest update, any potential departure from the Potteries looks to be unlikely at this moment in time.

As per that report, there are a number of League One clubs, including the Terriers, making their interest known in the hope that Lowe will be made available for loan late in the window, but the 19-year-old will first work under Robins in pre-season as he bids to become a big part of the first-team picture next term.

Lowe is not currently for sale and it seems that Stoke are unwilling to send the striker back out on loan too, although no shortage of clubs will be hoping that stance is potentially subject to change before the window slams shut.

Nathan Lowe deserves 25/26 Stoke City opportunity under Mark Robins

Retaining Lowe, or running the rule over him during pre-season at the very least, could represent the best decision for Stoke, as there is little contest that the teenage forward is deserving of a sustained first-team opportunity to show his worth at the club.

He would have wanted more opportunities than the 467 minutes afforded to him upon returning from such a rich goalscoring spell with Walsall, of course, and if consistent minutes are not on offer next term, then the exit door may perhaps be sought.

However, it does feel as though Lowe may finally get a real chance to show what he's all about at Stoke - and he has merited that opportunity.