Stoke City’s season has, yet again, followed an extremely similar path to previous campaigns at the Bet365 Stadium ever since the Potters were relegated from the Premier League eight years ago.
Despite the fact there was plenty of optimism surrounding a first full campaign under Mark Robins in North Staffordshire given his prior body of work when it comes to rebuilding Coventry City, the Reds haven’t been able to build on an impressive first half of the campaign which saw them in play-off contention for the first time in several Championship seasons.
With one game of the season still to play against Bristol City at Ashton Gate, there is nothing riding on the encounter for either side, Robins and his staff will no doubt be preparing for yet another critical summer of rebuilding at the Bet365 after a period where fortunes haven’t exactly been in Stoke’s favour when it comes to results and injuries.
As such, it remains to be seen which players will remain in his plans in the short and long-term as the Potters eventually look to assert themselves as contenders in a campaign which features the expanded play-off format, in which seventh and eighth place will also be involved in ‘eliminator’ ties.
One player who looks set for intensified interest in the upcoming summer transfer window is Welsh international winger, Sorba Thomas, who has enjoyed a fine first individual campaign with Stoke after signing from Huddersfield Town, as Premier League clubs have reportedly been monitoring his situation.
However, Thomas may not be the only winger who could be prized away from the Bet365 in the coming months, as City look set to face interest from several outfits for the services of Dutch winger, Million Manhoef, yet again.
Coventry City and Wolves face Ajax transfer threat for Stoke City ace Million Manhoef
Manhoef has been with his current employers for almost a two-and-a-half year period, having been recruited by the Championship side in what proved to be Steven Schumacher’s first of just two transfer windows in charge in February 2024, signing from Vitesse Arnhem on a three-and-a-half year contract for £3.4m.
During that time, the Dutch youth international has made 99 appearances in red and white, meaning a 100th against the Robins could be his last, having also posted a tally of 18 goals and 10 assists during said timeframe.
That’s because, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the 24-year-old has attracted interest from Eredivisie giants, Ajax, who are set to face off against Coventry, who are returning to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years under Frank Lampard, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the latter back in the Championship for next season in what will be Rob Edwards’ first full campaign at Molineux.
However, Manhoef is believed to be under “serious consideration” from the Amsterdam club as they look to rebuild under Fred Grim in the summer.
The Beemster native has previously been of interest to Scottish Premiership side, Celtic, but a move to Parkhead would never materialise.
How much is Million Manhoef currently worth? Comment below!
Stoke City may be forced to cash in on Million Manhoef this summer
Manhoef is currently under contract with Stoke until next summer, meaning the upcoming window may be seen as an ideal time for the Potters to cash in from a financial standpoint, even if losing the winger’s services comes as a major blow to Robins on the pitch.
Given the situations which all three interested sides find themselves in, it also may be no surprise to see the forward tempted by a new challenge. Ajax are, again, set for European football, whilst Coventry could offer the winger a first stint in the Premier League and Wolves will be expected to immediately challenge for promotion.
However, it remains to be seen what fee Stoke would command, particularly if a bidding war was to ensue.