Stoke City must make strategic transfer decisions in the upcoming months to climb the table next season under Steven Schumacher. The Potters have already bolstered their squad by signing standout goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, seasoned centre-back Ben Gibson, and promising wing-back Eric Junior Bocat from Rotherham United, Norwich City, and Sint-Truiden, respectively. With Schumacher preparing his team for the 2024/25 campaign, they are expected to remain active in the transfer market.
In preparation for his first summer transfer window as manager, Schumacher has made significant roster changes. Despite Tyrese Campbell’s strong finish to the season, he was allowed to leave after eight years with the club. Additionally, Ciaran Clark, Wesley, Tom Edwards, and D’Margio Wright-Phillips departed upon the expiration of their contracts. On the other hand, a one-year extension has been activated for Jordan Thompson, while Frank Fielding and Enda Stevens have signed new 12-month deals. Nevertheless, Schumacher still faces considerable work in the transfer market this summer.
Considering these developments, we explore the potential deals and decisions that could make this summer a pivotal one for Stoke City as they prepare for the new season.
Wouter Burger stays at the club
Wouter Burger’s impact on Stoke City’s performances since his arrival last summer has been significant. The Dutch youth international joined from Basel in August for a reported fee of £4.3 million and quickly proved his value by scoring a goal just two minutes into his full debut against Rotherham United in the Carabao Cup.
Burger became a key player under both former manager Alex Neil and current head coach Steven Schumacher in his debut season at the bet365 Stadium. He contributed four goals and four assists in 41 appearances across all competitions, impressing with his mature and commanding presence in central midfield.
At 23 years old, Burger is considered essential for Schumacher’s plans this summer. However, a recent TeamTalk report revealed that Stoke City faces a challenge in retaining him due to interest from Tottenham Hotspur, relegated Sheffield United, and two other unnamed Premier League clubs.
Although a fee of around £12 million is rumored to be sufficient to lure him away, it would be ideal for the club if no concrete offers near that amount were made. This would allow Burger to continue being a central figure in their midfield for the 2024/25 season.
Ki-Jana Hoever re-joins
Another standout performer for Stoke City last season, right-back Ki-Jana Hoever, has returned to his parent club Wolves following the expiry of his loan deal. However, it appears unlikely that he will fit into Gary O’Neil’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
Hoever initially joined Stoke on loan in January 2023 and impressed enough during his first six-month stint to secure another move to the bet365 Stadium last summer. Throughout the 2023/24 season, he contributed four goals and five assists in 44 games across all competitions.
Although some Stoke fans have questioned his defensive abilities, Hoever’s strong form towards the end of the campaign has likely convinced both the supporters and head coach Steven Schumacher of his value. Given Wolves’ current roster, Stoke may have a chance to bring him back for the next season.
| Ki-Jana Hoever 2023/24 Stoke City Championship statistics | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 40 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Tackles per 90 | 2.7 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 2.05 |
| Blocks per 90 | 0.76 |
| Progressive passes per 90 | 5.57 |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 2.05 |
| Stats as per fbref | |
Gary O’Neil has right-backs Nelson Semedo and Matt Doherty available as he prepares for the summer, while Brazilian teenager Pedro Lima is set to join the first-team squad following his £8 million transfer from Sport Recife.
With these three players in the mix, Hoever finds himself at a crossroads. If Semedo, Doherty, and Lima all stay at Wolves, Stoke City could be in a prime position to secure Hoever’s signature, whether permanently or on loan.
Steven Schumacher’s main concern will likely be the possibility of Hoever receiving better offers from other clubs. However, Schumacher will hope that Hoever’s positive experiences at Stoke and his strong rapport with the Potters’ fans could persuade him to return to the bet365 Stadium for a third stint.