Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill sees the positives in reports linking Harry Souttar with Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, speaking to the Sentinel at his pre-match press conference.
The Potters have already lost one half of an impressive central defensive partnership – Nathan Collins upping sticks and heading to Burnley in June.
And with the January window looming into view, the Championship promotion-chasers could soon find themselves at the centre of another speculation storm.
According to reports coming out of Staffordshire, Tottenham and Everton have both sent scouts to watch 6ft 6in Australia international Souttar.
Everton assistant coach Duncan Ferguson is understood to have taken a keen interest in the towering central defender who, if he was plying his trade in another era, would have given one of the Premier League’s most formidable frontmen one heck of a battle.
But while Souttar attempts to distance himself from transfer talk, his manager is keen to point out interest in one of Stoke’s most consistent performers should be seen as a compliment rather than a cause for concern.
Everton and Tottenham spy on Harry Souttar – but it’s a positive for Stoke
“Harry has had a very strong start to the season. He’s obviously playing senior international football and appears to have established himself in the Australia national team. That will obviously generate interest,” explains former Northern Ireland manager O’Neill, highlighting the fact Souttar is under contract until 2025.
“I think that’s a positive for us as a club. We’re in a strong position. We signed these young players on long-term contracts and the idea is they would become prominent players here and hopefully help us get back to the Premier League.
“They are young players and all have ambitions to play at the top level of the game.
“The fact there’s interest (is a positive).”
It remains to be seen how much Stoke would demand for Souttar but one Potters legend thinks the club shouldn’t accept a penny less than £20 million.
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