Stoke City: New Daniel Karlsbakk transfer twist emerges | OneFootball

The Potters have made several bids for the Norway under-21 international.

It has already been a busy summer for Stoke City as they back manager Mark Robins, but there is still plenty to do ahead of the Championship season.

Robins was seemingly under pressure after an underwhelming campaign at the Bet365 Stadium, but he has remained in charge and will need to start the campaign strongly to silence his critics.

The Potters have made a string of signings, with Ethan Galbraith the standout acquisition from Swansea City, while Milan Smit (who spent the second half of last season on loan), Djibril Soumare, Luke Graham and Svante Ingelsson have all arrived for fees.

Stoke are also pursuing another forward, who delivered encouraging returns last season, and recent reports suggest they are not far away from meeting his club's asking price.

Stoke City have third bid for Daniel Karlsbakk rejected

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The Potters found scoring goals an issue last term, with their 51 scored the seventh-lowest in the Championship as they finished in a disappointing 17th place.

Stoke's wingers both enjoyed stellar campaigns with Sorba Thomas and Million Manhoef netting a combined 17, with the former earning a place in the Championship Team of the Season.

In terms of strikers, Divin Mubama, who has since returned to parent club Manchester City, bagged six before his season ended in January due to ankle ligament damage, while Sam Gallagher and Smit managed just two apiece.

Now, as they continue their hunt for another frontman, the Potters have had a third bid rejected for Sarpsborg 08 striker Daniel Karlsbakk, according to The Sun's Charlie Gordon.

He reports that other clubs are also in the running for the 6ft 5in centre-forward, although Stoke are not far away from the Norwegian club's approximate £4million valuation with their latest offer.

The 23-year-old bagged 18 league goals in 28 appearances in the Eliteserien last season and has notched four goals in the opening 14 games of this campaign.

Who is Stoke target Karlsbakk?

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Karlsbakk came through the ranks at Norwegian side Bryne FK and made 30 appearances before signing for Viking on a free transfer in 2022.

The forward only scored twice in 21 Eliteserien appearances for the club before moving to Dutch outfit SC Heerenveen a year later, but he endured the same troubles in front of goal, scoring just once in the league.

However, following his move to Sarpsborg, the 23-year-old has been prolific and netted 21 goals in all competitions in the 2025 season while contributing three assists.

The 2026 campaign has been running since March, and Karlsbakk's four goals in 14 appearances are encouraging and have clearly caught the eye of Stoke and others.

Despite his height, the Norway under-21 international is a powerful, mobile centre-forward who plays as a traditional number nine, but he is much more than just a target man.

Not only has he become a clinical finisher, but he has excellent acceleration for a big man, while his pressing and movement have caused defenders all sorts of problems.

In the 2025 season, Karlsbakk's 37 recorded shots on target were more than 96 per cent of the strikers in the Norwegian top tier, while no forward notched more headed shots than the 23-year-old, according to Fotmob.

It is clear that the Potters need an out-and-out centre-forward with a track record, and if Karlsbakk can replicate his recent form in the Championship, then Robins' side will carry a much more significant threat next season.

How Stoke fans have reacted to Karlsbakk news

Earlier in June, Pete O'Rourke revealed the Potters' interest in the Norwegian, which drew a mixed response from the Stoke faithful.