Why Million Manhoef could still leave Stoke City this week as double Mark Robins deal done | OneFootball

Million Manhoef could still leave Stoke City despite the closure of the English transfer window

Stoke City have completed the double deal of wingers Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan from Crystal Palace and Ato Ampah from Chelsea in a permanent deal on deadline day, which could affect the future of Million Manhoef.

Stoke, like many other clubs across the country, have put the finishing touches on their squads this month, in what manager Mark Robins will be hoping is enough to fire them into the top six this campaign.

The Potters had spent much of the season in the play-off picture, whilst occupying one of the top two places at numerous points, though a slip in form in recent months has seen them crash down the standings.

Stoke completed deals for both Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who joins on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, and Chelsea youngster Ato Ampah, who joins from the Blues on a permanent deal for around £3 million.

The attacking pair predominantly prefers to play out wide, adding competition to the likes of Sorba Thomas, Lamine Cisse, and Million Manhoef.

Manhoef, in particular, was left out of Stoke’s matchday squad against Southampton for ‘a precautionary measure’, with speculation mounting that the Dutchman could be on his way out of the club.

Despite the transfer window having closed for clubs across the Premier League and EFL, numerous leagues around Europe remain open until later this week, whilst somewhere like the MLS doesn’t close until March, meaning that, whilst an exit to somewhere else in England, for now, is impossible, a move abroad is not.

Million Manhoef could still leave Stoke City imminently despite the closure of the English transfer window

Indeed, whilst a move elsewhere in the British Isles this winter is now impossible for Manhoef, an exit elsewhere isn’t.

His native country, the Netherlands, as well as Portugal, does not close their window until midnight on Tuesday, February 3rd. The likes of Greece, Austria, and Turkey do not close their windows until Friday, February 6th, whilst, as previously mentioned, clubs in MLS have until March to conduct business.

It means whilst Stoke don’t have to worry about Manhoef transferring to a division rival, any club within these countries could still pounce to strike a late deal with the Potters for the 24-year-old’s signature.

The 2-0 home loss to Southampton was the first league game that the Dutchman has not featured in this season, having made 29 appearances from the right flank, scoring five and assisting two in that period.

With the additions of both Rak-Sakyi, who prefers to play on the right, and Ampah, adding to both Thomas and Cisse, Manhoef’s game time could well take a hit, unless a move abroad is already on the cards.

Manhoef had previously been linked with moves to Celtic and Leeds United in recent times, though a move to either club, at least within the foreseeable future, is now impossible. Should interest arise from any club in the aforementioned countries whose windows remain open, an exit is still an absolute possibility.

Despite dropping away from the play-off picture in recent weeks, Robins will remain confident that his side has what it takes to claw themselves back up the table.

Their early-season form and solid defensive record will have provided a platform and a belief that there is no reason why Stoke cannot challenge for a place in the top six come May.

The club's downfall has been their poor record in front of goal, with the Potters not hitting the back of the net nearly enough if they have serious ambitions of a play-off place this season.

Robins will be hoping that the addition of Rak-Sakyi and Ampah to the likes of Dutch striker Milan Smit can shake things up in the final third in a positive manner, with Stoke needing to return to form sooner rather than later.

Indeed, injury woes to the likes of Divin Mubama, Sam Gallagher, and Robert Bozenik left the club without a recognised striker for a few games, not helping their cause.

Manhoef had already dropped to the bench in recent weeks following the positive displays of Cisse from the right, but the Frenchman had been forced to deputise up front in the absence of a recognised centre-forward.

Whether Manhoef will be a casualty of Stoke’s late business remains to be seen, though his place in the side has never been more contested, which, although frustrating for him, can only be good for Robins and his side, who now have numerous different options in the final third to choose from.