Three signings Stoke City could make on deadline day

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Wilfried Bony (Manchester City)

Stoke City’s shortcomings in front of goal may not be detrimental to the club’s cause just yet, but if their miscuing forwards continue to flop in front of goal, then the consequences may become apparent before too long. The Potters have won two out of their last 13 games in the Premier League, and secured a mere ten points from a possible 39, and if the poor run of form at the back end of last season continues to haunt them, then they may have a mountain to climb to stop the rot if they cannot resolve their goalscoring woes.

In an effort to remedy the situation, manager Mark Hughes has lined up Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony as another target, whose first-team prospects at the Etihad seem to diminish by the day, with Sergio Aguero, new signing Nolito and youngster Kalechi Iheanacho preferred options, and a move to Staffordshire would almost certainly guarantee first-team football. The Ivorian has a proven track record in the Premier League however, after notching 35 goals in 70 games at former club Swansea City, and is therefore the ready-made forward in the mould that Mark Hughes’ Stoke City needs. He is also an effective marksman at European level, having scored goals for the Swans in their Europa League campaign in 2013/14.

At 27, he is still very much in his prime as a forward, rendering any transfer fee a worthy investment, and available at a potential bargain of £2million, equipped with the critical contribution of goals to what now looks a struggling Stoke team, the presence of Bony and the extra killer instinct he would provide in the final third may be just the tonic to get Stoke looking up the league again rather than glancing at the trapdoor over their shoulder. His wage demands may be a stumbling block for the Potters however, and a loan deal may be the more likely option if Hughes is to land the Ivorian, and Joselu, a forward option already on the books at the Bet365 Stadium, may be heading out if Hughes bags his forward.