The following Derby County and West Bromwich Albion players could feature on Rowett’s Stoke City wishlist.
Derby County’s Gary Rowett is expected to be named the new Stoke City manager this week.
And with Derby’s imminent budget cuts rumoured to have sparked Rowett’s desire to move, it would be no surprise was the 44-year-old to return to his former club for players in the summer transfer window.
Here are a couple of likely targets – excluding the already-linked Scott Carson – plus a bonus one from West Bromwich Albion…
Matej Vydra (Derby County)
Derby’s top scorer with 22 goals in all competitions this season, Vydra should be the most saleable Rams player this window. Best deployed as a second striker, the Czech Republic star would be a useful partner for Peter Crouch, or even Tyrese Campbell, at Stoke, particularly if Bojan fails to stick around.
Tom Lawrence (Derby County)
Another solid season of Championship football (six goals, seven assists) makes Lawrence another desirable recruit for clubs at that level. And with Stoke’s wide options – Xherdan Shaqiri, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Ramadan Sobhi – each linked with moves away this summer, the Wales international would be particularly welcome at the Bet365 Stadium.
James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
The Republic of Ireland international admitted this week that he wanted to leave West Brom when Derby offered £6 million to sign him in January (Derby Telegraph), and Rowett could try his luck once more should any of the aforementioned Stoke wingers depart. McClean could be harder to prise away this time, however, after claiming that new boss Darren Moore has made him ‘feel like a footballer again’.
Could (and should) Stoke target the above Derby/West Brom players?
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