Brighton, Leicester, Newcastle and Watford are reportedly keen on Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross.
Swansea City’s Fernando Llorente in action with Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross
According to the Daily Mail, Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross is ‘leaning towards leaving the club’ this summer amid interest from a host of clubs.
Shawcross, 29, has been a Stoke player for almost ten years now, having initially joined the club on loan from Manchester United back in the summer of 2007, before becoming a permanent Potters star.
A mainstay of the Stoke side in their promotion season and throughout their time in the Premier League, Shawcross has racked up almost 400 appearances for Stoke, and has been club captain since 2010.
It’s hard to imagine a Stoke side without Shawcross at the back, but the Daily Mail claim that the centre half is actually leaning towards leaving the bet365 Stadium this summer amid strong interest from elsewhere.
It’s stated that Newcastle United are currently leading the race for Shawcross’ signature as Rafael Benitez gears up for the Magpies’ seemingly imminent promotion back to the Premier League.
Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross looks dejected
However, it’s added that the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion, Leicester City and Watford are also monitoring the former England international’s situation ahead of possible moves to sign him this summer.
Shawcross will be heading into the final year of his contract this summer, and if Stoke can’t tie him down to a new deal, they may well be forced to sell their captain before he walks away for free in 2018.
It’s stated that Shawcross is now considering a new challenge away from Stoke, and Newcastle will be hoping that’s true as Benitez pursues a dominant centre back to play alongside either Jamaal Lascelles or Ciaran Clarke in the top flight.
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