Transfer news from the bet365 Stadium as the clock ticks down for Stoke City in the January window

D’Margio Wright-Phillips is reportedly poised to complete a Stoke City exit and join Belgian promotion chasers Germinal Beerschot.

The skilful 22-year-old forward, who had shown glimpses of his potential when he broke into the Stoke first team two years ago, could join up with Stoke old boy Thibaud Verlinden at a club, managed by Dirk Kuyt, gunning to win its place back in the top flight. They currently lead First Division B with one game in hand on the three teams beneath them – but it is tight and only five points separate the top six.

Wright-Phillips joined Stoke from Manchester City’s youth set up in January 2021 and his form for the under-21s earned him a senior breakthrough under Michael O’Neill in the second half of the following season. His movement, touch and extravagant goal celebration – plus the fact he is son of Shaun Wright-Phillips and grandson of Ian Wright – earned him headlines beyond the Potteries.

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But he fell sharply out of favour under Alex Neil and spent the second half of last season on loan at Northampton Town as they sealed promotion from League Two, struggling to get enough game time in a winning team. His return to Stoke has been blighted by injury in the first half of this season and he was left out of the squad submitted to the EFL in September. He has got back in training this month but Stoke – not short of players who can float around in the forward line – are expected to now sanction his exit.

Reports in Belgium say it is still unclear whether it will be a permanent transfer or loan – but with Wright-Phillips’s contract set to run out in the summer, this is all-but a final goodbye regardless. He has scored twice for Stoke in 20 appearances.