Shock Stoke City transfer revelation emerges

What a day it was for Stoke and Steven Schumacher

Stoke City had a transfer deadline day to remember as they were working on deals nonstop to get players in and out of the building.

The Potters made three moves before the 11pm deadline on the 1st February. They were able to bring in Niall Ennis from Blackburn Rovers, who had previously worked with Stoke’s manager, Steven Schumacher. They were also able to sign 22-year-old Dutch winger Milion Manhoef from Vitesse, in the Eredivisie.

Their final move of the night was to release forward Dwight Gayle, who is already attracting attention from Championship clubs like Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town, as well as third tier sides such as Derby County, Chartlon Athletic, and Barnsley, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Stoke’s deadline day activity might not have been seen as anything special, or particularly busy, from the outside, but when you hear about what went on inside the bet365 stadium, you’ll realise it was a completely different picture.

The first of Stoke’s issues came much before the 1st February. Their loan move for Wolves player Luke Cundle was their second addition of the window, but they realised, after a couple of weeks, that they wanted to sign him permanently, according to TEAMtalk. This would have freed up a loan spot in their squad, but they worked out that they weren’t going to be able to afford it, so they then had to start looking at other players to offload.

TEAMtalk reported that 80% of Stoke’s squad was available at the right price; that’s how desperate they were to shift players on.

They tried to offload Ryan Mmaee, who’d only joined the club in the summer. He attracted attention from French and Turkish clubs, as well as Plymouth and Sheff Wed. His team were notified that they could work on exits for him around a week before the window close. Ultimately, he decided to stay and try and prove his worth.

The next exit they tried to facilitate was for Tyrese Campbell. His name was shipped about by the Stoke front offices to clubs in England and Scotland. TEAMtalk said that the player rejected one move, and the club turned down a bid from Italian side Hellas Verona.

In the end, Gayle was the one who had to act as the sacrificial lamb, in order for Stoke to get their deadline day acquisitions over the line. His contract was terminated by mutual consent, and he was reportedly happy with the club’s decision, which is understandable given the interest he has already received.