Stoke City set to beat Millwall & Portsmouth to £1m+ Sheffield Wednesday transfer | OneFootball

Stoke City look set to beat Millwall and Portsmouth to a transfer deal worth over £1 million for a Sheffield Wednesday player...

Stoke City are looking to have a much-improved season in the Championship under Mark Robins, with his side set to secure a deal with Sheffield Wednesday this summer.

It's an exciting new dawn for Sheffield Wednesday, with the Owls now under the stewardship of David Storch. However, they are in League One again after relegation. Stoke City, meanwhile, finished 17th under Mark Robins.

That said, Stoke won eight of their opening 14 games in 2025/26, which means they ended the final 32 games with the second-fewest points in the division. They accrued just 28 points in 32 games, while Wednesday collected 11 in that period.

Without significant progress and signings this summer, Stoke could be in trouble with relegation. The likes of Lincoln City, Cardiff City, and Bolton Wanderers will all be eyeing teams to get above to stay up, with the Potters undoubtedly one such side after their end of the campaign.

Stoke City win the race for Sheffield Wednesday's Svante Ingelsson

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After an initial loan that has since become permanent, Dutch striker Milan Smit officially became the first signing of the summer. However, they are yet to add in any new faces ahead of the 2026/27 season opener against Swansea City in August.

Now it seems as though Svante Ingelsson of Sheffield Wednesday will be the next through the door, with the 28-year-old Swede in the final year of his deal at Hillsborough following their relegation to League One.

Per Alex Miller of the Sheffield Star on X, senior Wednesday figures had initiated talks regarding extending his stay but a deal above £1 million has been agreed for the midfielder to join Stoke, who have been keen on Ingelsson for some time now.

Millwall and Portsmouth also had an interest in Ingelsson. However, similarly, Joe Crann explains that attempts were made to extend Ingelsson's contract but that Wednesday have now agreed a deal with Stoke instead. He joined Wednesday from German outfit Hansa Rostock two years ago.

The Star report that Ingelsson has already agreed personal terms with the Potters this summer, with Wednesday wanting to secure clarity on Ingelsson’s future as quickly as possible, meaning that they can get to work and press on with their summer rebuild.

That is why Simon Wilson met with the 28-year-old over the last few days immediately after Ingelsson returned from Sweden. In the end, it is understood that he expressed an interest in a move back to the Championship via Stoke.

How Sheffield Wednesday fans are reacting to Stoke City signing Svante Ingelsson

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Last season was Ingelsson's most consistent one at Hillsborough, but he remained a divisive figure during his time at the club and the reaction on social media has certainly been mixed.

Another post on X said: "Shame to see him go, but an example of a more realistic, pragmatic approach. Sell players who want to move and use the proceeds to bring in new blood. Wish Svante well. Whole-hearted player who worked his socks off last season."

It appears as though Wednesday will have to reinvest, with more work to do in a window where there is already plenty. However, there are more crucial players than the Stoke-bound Ingelsson who look set to remain at Hillsborough in 2026/27.