Stoke City must execute some shrewd transfer deals in the final days of the summer transfer window to bolster their chances of breaking into the top half of the Championship this season. After narrowly avoiding relegation last season and finishing 17th in the 2023/24 campaign, manager Schumacher will be eager to build on that momentum in the months ahead.
So far, Stoke has been cautious in the transfer market, although they secured the signing of center-back Ben Gibson following the expiration of his contract with Norwich City. Additionally, they have added three new players to their ranks: goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, wing-back Eric Bocat, and striker Sam Gallagher, who have joined from Rotherham United, Sint-Truiden, and Blackburn Rovers, respectively.
As August progresses, Stoke is expected to be active in both incoming and outgoing transfers as Schumacher continues to refine his squad. He may explore opportunities in the free-agent market to enhance squad depth while reserving funds for key positions that require investment.
In light of this, two free agents have been identified as potential signings for Stoke ahead of the new season.
Lorenzo Rajot
Lorenzo Rajot may not be a familiar name to most English football fans, but he has been steadily building a respectable career in his home country of France. After leaving Ligue 2 side Rodez at the end of June, the 26-year-old midfielder might be looking for a new challenge this summer.
Rajot is primarily a central, box-to-box midfielder, capable of playing in a deeper role, but he has truly excelled in an advanced number eight position over the past two seasons with Rodez. This makes him an ideal candidate for Schumacher’s system if Stoke were to consider bringing him in.
Rajot made his league debut with his boyhood club Clermont Foot in 2017 and played over 50 matches for them across four seasons. Although he struggled to secure a regular starting position, he did contribute to Clermont’s historic promotion to Ligue 1 in the 2020/21 season. He then moved to Rodez that summer and, despite a slow start, quickly became one of their standout players. Rajot registered three goals and four assists in 37 games during the 2022/23 season, and improved on that with eight goals and five assists in 42 appearances last season, helping Rodez to a fourth-place finish in Ligue 2 before they were narrowly defeated by St Etienne in the play-off semi-final.
After failing to agree on a contract extension with Rodez, Rajot left the club in June and now finds himself at a pivotal moment in his career as he searches for his next move. Given his ability to bring flair and creativity to the midfield, Stoke would do well to pursue him, especially as they currently lack a playmaker of his caliber.
Rajot was one of the top performers in the French second tier, which is comparable to the Championship, and was ranked in the top 10% of Ligue 2 midfielders for progressive passes and shot and goal-creating actions per 90 minutes last season, according to FBref. His addition could be a valuable asset to Stoke as they aim for a top-half finish in the Championship.
Although Rajot is likely to attract interest from clubs in France, no concrete offers have emerged yet, which could give Stoke a clear path to secure his signature if they decide to act in the coming weeks.
Aaron Connolly
Stoke City’s search for a striker this summer has been closely followed, and Aaron Connolly could present a low-risk, high-reward option for manager Steven Schumacher as the player seeks a new club following his departure from Hull City at the end of last season.
Connolly, born in Galway, first moved to England in 2016 to join Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-18 squad. He quickly progressed through the ranks, making his senior debut at just 17 years old in an EFL Cup victory over Barnet in August 2017.
During the 2018/19 season, Connolly was loaned to League One side Luton Town, but he struggled to make an impact. This made it all the more surprising for Brighton fans to see him regularly involved with the first team at the start of the 2019/20 campaign. Connolly soon made a name for himself by scoring twice on his first Premier League start against Tottenham Hotspur in October 2019 and finished the season with three goals in 27 appearances.
Over the next three seasons, Connolly played a limited role for Brighton and had disappointing loan spells at Middlesbrough in the Championship and Venezia in Serie B. He then joined Hull City on a six-month loan in January 2023 and appeared to regain some form, scoring two goals in his first five games. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a broken toe in February.
The Republic of Ireland international signed a permanent one-year deal with Hull last summer and began to show his true potential in the 2023/24 season, scoring eight goals in the first half of the campaign and finding his stride at the KCOM Stadium. However, injuries once again plagued his season, and he made just four appearances from February onwards.
| Aaron Connolly 2023/24 Hull statistics | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 30 |
| Starts | 15 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Non-penalty goals per 90 | 0.59 |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 1.63 |
| Progressive carries per 90 | 1.11 |
| Fouls drawn per 90 | 2.30 |
| Stats as per FBref, league games only | |
Aaron Connolly is now free to join another club this summer after Hull City decided not to renew his contract in May. Stoke City should consider bringing him to the bet365 Stadium to bolster their attacking options.
Last season, the Potters struggled in front of goal, finishing as the sixth-lowest scorers in the Championship. While they have already added Sam Gallagher to their forward line, additional reinforcements are necessary to enhance their offensive capabilities.
Connolly would be a valuable addition, offering more experience and proven ability at the senior level compared to Niall Ennis, Emre Tezgel, and Nathan Lowe. Signing him on a short-term deal, similar to the one he had at Hull, could be a sensible move for Stoke, with the potential for a longer commitment if he performs well.
Given that Connolly is available on a free transfer and is only 24 years old, he still has plenty to offer and room to develop. This could be a smart acquisition for Stoke, allowing them to allocate their budget to other areas of the squad this month.