Stoke City transfer snub revealed after £5m offer - Middlesbrough star was signed instead | OneFootball

Stoke City rejected a late £5 million bid for Million Manhoef from American side Colorado Rapids this summer

Stoke City rejected a late £ 5 million bid from MLS outfit Colorado Rapids for Dutch winger Million Manhoef, but the saga may not be over yet.

According to Alan Nixon's Patreon, Stoke rejected a big bid worth around £5 million from MLS side Colorado Rapids for Dutch winger Manhoef late in the window.

However, the Rapids, who signed Middlesbrough's Morgan Whittaker for around £7.9 million around the same time, may be back in due course in an attempt to strike a deal for the 24-year-old, who has seen his game time in the Potteries slashed as of late.

Stoke City snubbed Colorado Rapids' £5 million approach for Million Manhoef

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Manhoef, 24, joined Stoke in January 2024 from Dutch side Vitesse for around £3.4 million, and has gone on to make over a century of appearances for the club across all competitions since.

The Dutchman has predominantly been deployed off the right flank during his time in North Staffordshire, scoring 18 and assisting ten in all competitions, but has recently seen his game time slashed for the first time in his Potters career.

Manager Mark Robins has decided to switch to a 3-4-2-1 system as of late, which has coincided with an excellent upturn in form, winning four of their last five Championship games and drawing the other.

However, this has left Manhoef without a natural place in the side, and he has picked up just 55 minutes of league football since the switch in shape.

With less than 12 months remaining on his current deal and no reported extension clause, Stoke's decision to knock back the offer already appears to be a strange one, though Nixon reports that the Rapids could be back with a fresh approach in late January 2027 when the MLS window opens again.

Why Stoke City decided to reject late bid for Million Manhoef

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Stoke certainly had their reasoning for rejecting a late bid for Manhoef, and one which likely mainly derives from the £10.5 million sale of Sorba Thomas to Hull City on deadline day.

Thomas' absence from the Potters' squad to face Norwich City on deadline day coincided with Robins changing shape, and having since found success with this approach, he has stuck with it.

Whether it was Robins' intention to switch to this shape at any stage remains unclear, but given the situation involving Manhoef, it likely wasn't planned.

The Dutchman is one of the best dribblers in the Championship and, on his day, is a nightmare to defend against, and should Stoke decide to revert back to a 4-2-3-1 shape anytime soon, Manhoef is ready-made to do so.

Mark Robins must make a big decision regarding the future of Million Manhoef soon

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With Manhoef into the final year of his deal in the Potteries, it is somewhat surprising Stoke were not actively looking to part ways with the Dutchman, or offer him a new deal.

There is a real risk they lose him for nothing next year, which would be a big financial mistake for the club, as should the Rapids return with an approach in around four or five months time, Robins may well be reconsidering his answer.

It would be disingenuous to suggest Manhoef has no future at the club and his loss wouldn't be a big one, though being currently out of favour and soon-to-be out of contract, a big decision on his future must be made sooner rather than later.