Stoke City facing Oxford United and Leyton Orient battle for prolific EFL striker | OneFootball

Stoke City will have a fight on their hands to secure the signature of Jaze Kabia this summer

Stoke City have been linked with a move to sign Grimsby Town’s Jaze Kabia this summer following their 17th place finish in the table.

The Potters were in contention for promotion to the Premier League in the first half of the campaign.

However, Mark Robins’ side’s form dropped off in the second part of the term, leading to them falling down the standings.

Stoke will be hoping to use the summer to bolster their first team squad in order to have a more sustained push for a top eight finish next year.

The play-offs will expand to include the top eight, which will boost the club’s chances of being able to fight for a return to the top flight.

Stoke haven’t competed in the first tier since suffering relegation in 2018, and they have yet to even come inside the top half of the Championship in the years since.

Stoke City facing EFL competition for Jaze Kabia

As mentioned, Grimsby striker Kabia is on Stoke’s radar following his League Two form, but their attempts to secure the Irishman's signature this summer will face competition.

It has been reported by Football Insider that League One duo Oxford United and Leyton Orient are also interested in the 25-year-old as he enters the final 12 months of his current contract at Blundell Park.

Kabia has earned a lot of plaudits for his performances this season in League Two, as he contributed 17 goals and two assists to help Grimsby earn a top seven finish, with 24 goals coming in all competitions.

But a play-off semi-final defeat to Salford City ended the club’s hopes of earning promotion, and has cast doubt on the forward’s future with the team.

Kabia is garnering a lot of attention, with Oxford now seeking his signature to bolster Matt Bloomfield’s attacking options.

Will Lankshear’s loan spell has come to an end with the U’s, meaning a replacement is needed for next season.

The Tottenham Hotspur youngster scored 11 times from 44 appearances as the club suffered relegation to League One.

Oxford will be hoping to compete for promotion back to the second tier next year, and have set their sights on Kabia as a result.

Leyton Orient are also keen on the 25-year-old, despite the fact they have prolific attacker Dom Ballard at their disposal.

Stoke were initially linked with the Grimsby player last month, with Plymouth Argyle also eyeing a deal for the striker, but it's since been claimed that the Potters watched him during the play-offs.

It remains to be seen what Kabia’s preference is at this stage, but it is only Stoke that could offer him the chance to compete in the Championship next season.

Jaze Kabia departure is now likely after Grimsby’s play-off loss

Grimsby’s defeat in the play-offs to Salford was a welcome development for each of these clubs, as a departure for Kabia this summer now seems the most likely outcome.

Stoke will be an appealing option given they can offer second tier football, but if they can’t guarantee regular minutes then perhaps the step up to League One might be preferable.

The Irishman showed this year that he knows how to find the back of the net consistently, so it’s no surprise Oxford and Leyton Orient are keen.

Given he is entering the final year of his contract, now is the right time for Grimsby to cash in and earn some kind of fee for the 25-year-old.