Stoke City are set to complete two signings from top-flight clubs, one permanently and one on loan, in preparations for the new season.
The Potters are looking to splash the cash this summer as they aim to push up the table following a disappointing campaign last season, which saw them embroiled deep in the relegation battle for some time. This year, they will be looking to improve on their survival and begin a push up the table, and it appears that Steven Schumacher has the backing of the board in the transfer market to do so.
The club are midway through the formalities to sign Celtic defender Bosun Lawal, which could be considered a statement signing bringing the Scottish top-flight champion to the Bet365 Stadium. Lawal is joined by Premier League forward Lewis Koumas, who arrives from English giants Liverpool on a loan deal.
Double coup for Stoke City.
As mentioned above, TEAMtalk reported that both Lawal and Koumas are undergoing medicals as formalities to make their moves to Stoke City official.
It is understood that the centre-back Lawal is highly rated by the Scottish champions but appears to have no future in Glasgow, seeing him all but complete a move to the Championship side. The defender joins in a deal where Stoke will pay £2 million. Add-ons could see that fee rise to £3 million.
Meanwhile, forward Lewis Koumas arrives on a season-long loan deal after signing a new contract at Anfield, where he, like Lawal at Celtic, is highly rated but does appear to have a bright future on Merseyside. The 21-year-old defender has been limited to just one appearance with Celtic.
Defensive capture is a strong statement of intent by Stoke City.
While the signing of Koumas is one of intent from the Potters, the capture of Bosun Lawal is the most impressive from the Scottish champions. The right-footed centre-back impressed while on loan with Fleetwood Town during Celtic legend Scott Brown’s time in charge of the club. Brown’s connection with the Scottish giants to secure the services of Lawal in League One, where the defender shone as part of the struggling side.
Not only is Lawal capable of playing in the defensive line, but he has turned out in defensive midfield in his career, making him a versatile option, with Stoke’s midfield options also limited as of late.
Stoke have been looking for a new defender in this transfer window after they suffered a setback through Michael Rose’s ankle injury, putting the centre-back out for eight to ten weeks. The capture of Lawal could see Rose’s game time limited and jeopardise his place in the first team.
Stoke City fight Championship rivals for Premier League defender.
Also reported by TEAMtalk is that Stoke City hold an interest in Wolves defender Ki-Jana Hoever after spending 18 months on loan with the Midlands side. The former Liverpool defender was on the verge of moving to Sheffield United before the deal collapsed due to injury, alerting the Potters, as well as Ligue 1 side Toulouse.
The Dutch defender featured 40 times for the club while on loan last campaign and played his part in nine goals for the side, making it abundantly clear why the side were keen to retain his services.
Eight of those nine goal contributions came from right-back, while he provided one assist playing as a right midfielder.