Stoke City have joined Bristol City in the battle to land Plymouth Argyle loanee Luke Cundle during the January transfer window, according to the Express & Star.
The 21-year-old is currently on loan from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers but could be in line for a seven-figure switch to a rival Championship during the January transfer window.
Cundle has made 26 appearances in all competitions so far this season for Plymouth Argyle, scoring four goals and picking up five additional assists with the majority of those arriving in the Championship.
The midfielder is a graduate of the Wolves youth setup, first appearing in the U21s back in 2020. He spent the 2022/23 season on loan with fellow Championship side Swansea City, making 34 appearances under Russell Martin and contributing to seven goals in the process.
His impressive form wasn’t enough for the Premier League side, who instead opted to loan the midfielder out again to the Pilgrims. His contract with the Midlands side is scheduled to run until June 2026 but it now appears as though he won’t be seeing out the duration of that with the club.
According to the Express & Star, Wolves have placed a £2 million price tag on the 21-year-old, with numerous Championship clubs keeping tabs on the midfielder. However, it appears that Stoke City and Bristol City are leading the way for his signature this month.
Plymouth Argyle currently sits 18th in the Championship in their returning season to the second tier. The club have lost manager Steven Schumacher to Stoke, which would explain the motive for the transfer.
Meanwhile, Stoke City are 19th and level on points with the Pilgrims whilst Bristol City sits 11th, four points off the top six.
Writer’s View
Cundle is an exciting, young midfielder who can play in numerous different positions across the centre of the pitch, adding versatility to whoever lands him.
However, it will cost a seven-figure fee and I cannot imagine that a player like Cundle will be short of demand during this window this could prove to be a second blow after news that Finn Azaz was recalled by Aston Villa ahead of a move to Middlesbrough.