Three players Stoke City should target during the January transfer window

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Lee Grant

With first choice goalkeeper Jack Butland set to miss the remainder of the season with a continuing ankle injury, Mark Hughes is desperately in need of a replacement.

The 23-year-old suffered a fractured ankle on international duty back in March and was expected to return to action before the turn of the year until  a number of setbacks resulted in him being required undergo further surgery in December. It looks unlikely that Butland will play any further part in the current campaign.

Lee Grant, on loan from Derby County, has proven himself to be a more than adequate stand-in over the duration of the last three months and has produced a string of impressive performances. The 33-year-old arrived at Stoke in the summer as little more than a back-up player but has been able to cement himself as first-choice goalkeeper in Butland’s absence and has played a key role in Stoke’s upturn in fortunes and form.

Grant’s current loan deal expires in January and Stoke have already opened negotiations with Derby as they look to secure his services on a more permanent basis. However, the Rams have set a £4,000,000 price tag on the goalkeeper whilst Mark Hughes made an opening bid in the region of £750,000 – so there is still plenty of negotiating to be done.

Lee Grant has already proven himself in Stoke City colours – it is now Mark Hughes job to turn his loan-deal into a permanent transfer.

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