Stoke City transfer state of play: Readying Celtic blow, Man City talks linger | OneFootball

The latest roundup of Stoke City transfer news, including Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Anthony Patterson, and Divin Mubama

The latest state of play at Stoke City as the January transfer window edges to a close, with news surrounding Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Anthony Patterson, and Divin Mubama.

Stoke City are looking to buck their trend of always finishing below 14th this season, with a top-six finish well within their sight.

Under the guidance of Mark Robins, the Potters have emerged as real contenders for a play-off place this season, and although they have undergone a drop-off in form in recent months, they remain within touching distance.

An array of injuries has affected that run of form, with ten senior players out for their most recent 1-1 draw away to Birmingham.

The likes of Viktor Johansson, Gavin Bazunu, Ben Gibson, Junior Tchamadeu, Ben Wilmot, Bosun Lawal, Lewis Baker, Divin Mubama, Robert Bozenik, and Sam Gallagher all missed the Potters' most recent fixture, with Aaron Cresswell, Eric Bocat, and Steven Nzonzi recently returning to the fold.

Additions into the squad are imperative before the window slams shut in early February, with Robins weighing up key decisions that will ultimately play a huge role in their finishing position this campaign.

According to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Stoke are leading Celtic in the race for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi this month.

Stoke have been continually linked to the talented wide-man for much of the past month or so, with the former Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United loanee free to leave Selhurst Park this month.

Palace would like an obligation to purchase the winger for £8 million at the end of the loan; Celtic are reportedly uninterested in any obligation, with Stoke's stance on the matter yet to be confirmed.

Rak-Sakyi spent the first half of this campaign on loan in the Turkish top flight with Rizespor, scoring four and assisting once in 11 league games before being recalled to England, and now looks set to leave the club before the end of this month, with Robins' side very much hot contenders for his signature.

Tommy Simkin is to be given a chance in goal, putting Anthony Patterson's move in doubt

Stoke had been loosely linked with a move for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to fix their woes in net, but that move looks to be in doubt, with Stoke Sentinel's Pete Smith reporting that 21-year-old Tommy Simkin is to be given an extended run between the sticks.

Viktor Johansson sustained a shoulder injury against Sheffield United in late December, which required surgery, ruling him out for much of the rest of the season, and Gavin Bazunu was promptly signed on loan from Southampton to fix that issue.

However, Bazunu also sustained a thigh injury in training, ruling him out for at least six weeks, in a terrible turn of luck for the Potters.

Rumours that the Potters could move for yet another keeper this window surfaced in the form of Patterson, though the out-of-favour Sunderland man looks set to join fellow second-tier side Millwall, as per Alan Nixon.

Milan Smit signed, discussions with Man City to be had concerning Divin Mubama loan deal

With each of Divin Mubama, Sam Gallagher, and Robert Bozenik all set for lengthy spells on the sidelines, Stoke were in desperate need of a striker this month.

Lamine Cisse has deputised up front in their absence, and, although he has performed well, he is not the type of forward Robins likes to have up top, with the Potters swiftly moving for Go Ahead Eagles striker Milan Smit.

Smit, 22, has scored six and assisted two in the Eredivisie this season, and has joined Stoke on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season for £4.8 million.

Talks over whether Mubama will be recalled by parent club Man City before the end of the window could to take place, with no time frame on his injury yet given, but the England youth international is expected to miss much of the rest of the campaign.

In the meantime, Robins will be hoping his striker woes are solved by the arrival of Smit, who he will hope can hit the ground running and fire the Potters into a play-off place come the end of the season.