Stoke City turn transfer attentions to 'in-demand' Aston Villa defender | OneFootball

Stoke City are interested in Aston Villa right-back Triston Rowe this summer amid injuries to Junior Tchamadeu and Bosun Lawal

Stoke City are interested in Aston Villa right-back Triston Rowe, with the Potters preparing a move for the 19-year-old defender, who could leave the club either on loan or permanently this summer.

According to The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell, Stoke are interested in Aston Villa defender Rowe, as the North Staffordshire outfit look to address their cursed right-back position.

However, the Potters are not alone in their pursuit of the English youngster, as they face competition for his signature from the likes of Brest and other teams across Europe.

Action images

Stoke have struggled in the right-back area since the beginning of last season, as they headed into the 2025/26 Championship campaign with only Junior Tchamadeu as their only recognised senior player in that position.

The former Colchester United defender linked up with the Cameroon squad during the January AFCON tournament, and would pick up an injury in the quarter-final against Morocco, ruling him out of action for the majority of the second half of the campaign.

As a result, each of Makysm Talovierov, Ben Wilmot, Bosun Lawal, Sydney Agina, and even Sorba Thomas deputised in that position for the Potters across the campaign to varying degrees of success, with injuries piling up among those options.

with Ipswich Town a couple of weeks ago, but something came up in the medical, as the defender has now joined Preston North End instead.

Robins has admitted that Tchamadeu 'will be a while' after picking up a fresh injury in pre-season, and with Lawal limping off at half-time against Swansea City on the opening day, their need for another option at right-back is once again evident for all to see, as Rowe has been earmarked as a potential solution.

Why do Stoke City want to sign Triston Rowe?

Action Images

Rowe, 19, has been a regular in the youth ranks at Aston Villa for numerous years at this stage, coming through the Villains ranks and progressing his way into the first team, though he is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.

Last season, the England youth international spent the campaign out on loan with French second division side Annecy, where he made 30 league appearances, scoring one and assisting twice, as his side finished just outside of the top five.

Capable of playing as a right-back in a back four, or as a wing-back in a back five, balancing his time between the two positions whilst in France, Rowe has proven to be dangerous going forwards and solid in defence.

He has been deputised at left-back for Villa under Unai Emery during pre-season, as the youngster is capable of being effective on either side of defence.

Still just 19, there is ample scope for improvement for Rowe, as Stoke look to complete a deal that brings him to the Potteries either permanently or on loan.

How have Stoke City supporters reacted to the Triston Rowe update?

Action Images

With Rowe emerging as a potential option for Stoke in the full-back area, Potters supporters have taken to social media to react to the news.

Indeed, the last full-back Stoke signed was Aaron Cresswell last summer, and with the 36-year-old having picked up an injury in pre-season and not expected back anytime soon, the requirement for another option in that area has only heightened.

Stoke fans have grown increasingly pessimistic regarding their situation at full-back in recent times, reflected in this supporters' response.

This Stoke fan would clearly like to see a permanent addition over a loan, as with each of Ki-Jana Hoever, Harry Clarke, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand having joined on short-term deals previously, they have grown tiresome over the lack of permanent options in those positions.

Though Rowe has played at left-back during pre-season, whether his future lies there remains to be seen, as Stoke have been urged to sign both a right-back and left-back before the deadline.