Three signings Stoke City should make this summer feat. Spurs winger

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Mark Hughes is one manager who has been active in the transfer window this summer, not necessarily in bringing signings in thus far, but in identifying targets in a bid to build on the Potters’ 9th-place finish in the Premier League last season. Though with the first arrivals this summer through the door in the shape of Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi from Al-Ahly and the £13 million signing of Joe Allen from Liverpool, the floodgates may now open at the Bet365 Stadium as Hughes scurries to finalise more deals.

The signing of Allen does cast some doubt over the club’s interest in bringing Mario Lemina in from Juventus to improve their midfield. With one creative midfielder in, Hughes may well deem another surplus to requirements. This signing may also depend on whether or not Paul Pogba secures an exit from the Turin club, but Hughes has been astute in making his move for Allen to add at least at one creative option to his team.

Even with the first of Stoke’s new recruits signing on the dotted line this summer, which other potential targets should Stoke try to tempt to the Potteries in a bid to secure European football again? Over the next few pages, some of the best possible options have been suggested.

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1. Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)

West Bromwich Albion contract rebel Saido Berahino has been the subject of speculation for several months at the Hawthorns, with the 22-year old seeing his future away from the Black Country outfit. Stoke City are one club to vehemently express an interest in acquiring his services with only one year left to run on his contract at West Brom, and with the player having already turned down a new four-year deal.

The England U-21 international only registered seven goals last season for Tony Pulis’ side in all competitions, but shows the flashes of brilliance that would make him an ideal replacement for the outgoing and faded Peter Odemwingie.

He has the movement and potent finishing to score goals for Stoke City, shown particularly by his performance away at Old Trafford where he scored in a 2-1 Albion victory over Manchester United several seasons ago, and offers a different dimension as a spearhead in the centre of Hughes’ favoured attacking trio. Currently, Jonathan Walters, target-man Peter Crouch and playmaker Bojan are the only real central options, none of which have been particularly prolific of late, and all three have at some point spent periods out of the side this past campaign. 

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Were Berahino to hit form in Potters colours, it is highly likely he could not only force his way into a starting role, but also fill the void of the regular goal-scorer that Stoke have been needing for some time.

Since speculation was first fuelled over his future, he has only shown flashes of his quality that have come in drips and drabs. His current manager; former Stoke boss Tony Pulis, still has belief in the player, saying in a 2015 interview with BBC Sport that Berahino has all the attributes of a top class player but is in need of “direction” in order to fulfil his promising potential.

He would certainly have that under an experienced coach at Stoke City in Mark Hughes, but with a £20 million bid for the striker already having been rejected by their West Midlands rivals, this is a signing for which the club may well have to bide their time, with Crystal Palace also keen on bringing in the forward.