Four can leave the club

Manager Gary Rowett has said four players – Imbula, Charlie Adam (who has been ruffling feathers with his radio punditry), Maxim Choupo-Moting and Geoff Cameron – are all surplus to requirements and available before this month’s EFL deadline. Imbula is likely to be a loan again and of the four Geoff Cameron looks the likeliest to leave first with firm interest from a couple of European clubs.

Stoke will look to get a few players on loan, either as season long ones or loan to buy where we loan a player and pay the agreed transfer fee in January (like Benik Afobe). Makes bit of a nonsense about the transfer window closing on August 9th though.

Sam Clucas joins Stoke City

Stoke City have completed the signing of Swansea City midfielder Sam Clucas for an undisclosed fee. Clucas has signed a four-year contract and is seventh acquisition of the summer, following permanent signings of Peter Etebo, Benik Afobe, Adam Federici, James McClean, Tom Ince and Ashley Williams on loan.

Although the transfer window has now closed for permanent signings Stoke can still make loan signings and sell to European clubs until the end of August.

Stoke City squad numbers announced for 2018/19

You can read the full list here

New signings Tom Ince, Peter Etebo, Benik Afobe, James McClean and Adam Federici have been allocated numbers 7, 8, 9, 11 and 32 respectively

Young striker Dom Telford has joined League Two side Bury. He has never played a senior game for Stoke since we signed him from Blackpool in July 2015. He was on loan with Bristol Rovers last season scoring five goals in 24 appearances in both league and cup games.

Tom Ince signs for Stoke

Tom Ince has signed from Huddersfield Town for an initial fee of £10m which could rise to £12m. He will play down the right wing with fellow recent signing James McClean likely to lne-up on the left hand side. A good signing and a player with a proven track record in the Championship.

In

Benik Afobe (Wolves) loan move until Jan; then £12m

Oghenekaro Peter Etebo (Feirense) £6.5m

Adam Federci (Bournemouth) undisclosed

Tom Ince (Huddersfield) £10m

James McClean (West Brom) £5m

Out

Lee Grant – Man Utd undisclosed

Stephen Ireland – released

Glen Johnson – released

Marc Muniesa – Girona undisclosed

Jese Rodriguez – loan finished

Xeridan Shaqiri – Liverpool £13m

Ramadan Sobhi – Huddersfield £5.85m

Kostas Stafylidis – loan finished

Kevin Wimmer – Hannover 96 (season long loan with option to make permanent at the end of the season)

Kurt Zouma – loan finished

Book review: All The Hidden Truths by Claire Askew

Hodder & Stoughton [Publication date 09.08.18]

The blurb on this book certainly tweaks your interest –

“This is a fact: Ryan Summers walked into Three Rivers College and killed thirteen women, then himself. But no one can say why. The question is one that cries out to be answered – by Ryan’s mother, Moira; by Ishbel, the mother of Abigail, the first victim; and by DI Helen Birch, put in charge of the case on her first day at her new job. But as the tabloids and the media swarm, as the families’ secrets come out, as the world searches for someone to blame… the truth seems to vanish.”

The author, poet Claire Askew was the subject of four way bid for this book, part of a two book deal with Hodder, and it is easy to see why as this is one of the best crime debuts I have read in a good while.

Askew tells the story from the three main characters and she delves into each character’s emotions and how they are reacting to events unfolding around them. It is a classic page turner which although you know the outcome and there is no culprit to find, the book raises lots of questions about the shooting and how it affects the victims’ families and that of the shooter in the aftermath. The other key character a member of the press who will try anything to get a story and he is a certainly a character you will love to hate!

Highly recommended read, not just for fans of crime writing but anyone who enjoys a good read that makes you think after reading it.

Grant to Man Utd and Federici joins Stoke

https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/adam-becomes-third-new-signing

STOKE CITY have made their third new signing of the summer with Australian international goalkeeper Adam Federici arriving from Bournemouth where he was third choice. He has signed a two year contract and replaces Lee Grant who has joined Man Utd on a two year deal.

Muniesa completes Girona move

Marc Muniesa has made last season’s loan move permanent signing a three year contract with Girona. He was a technically adept defender, hindered by a few injuries and a hit with the fans. He will be missed and good luck at Girona!

Reports in the media today that goalkeeper Lee Grant could be off to Man Utd as their third choice goalie. Good move for him if it comes off, although we’d need another keeper especially as Jack Butland could still leave this summer.