Nathan Lowe transfer truth as Stoke City look elsewhere for youthful goals
That old bugbear of financial fair play is likely to cast a long shadow over Stoke City plans to do business during the January transfer window.
After finally getting their house in order during the days when Michael O’Neill was in charge, Stoke have since gone on to hire ever more managers and the players they wanted to realise their vision for the club.
The problem is they often never stuck around long enough to see any vision materialise - and then their successors inherited players not seen as suitable for the next Stoke City reboot. Crucially, all this coming and going has eaten into the finances available for deals, hence the tip-toeing through the bargain-basement players potentially available next month.
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As such, loans could play a big part of what is done - both players returning to the fold and those being lured in from elsewhere.
There has been plenty of talk in recent days about teen striker Nathan Lowe returning from League Two Walsall, where he has hit 10 goals to fire the Sadlers to the top of the table.
And while such a course of action cannot be ruled out - plenty of League One clubs would be keen to test young Lowe at a higher level - he is unlikely to return to the bet365 Stadium to play for the Potters - not this season at least.
No, Stoke’s eyes may be on a player already impressing in League One - Aston Villa and former Barcelona forward Louie Barry.
The 21-year-old has scored 24 goals in 44 appearances for Stockport County since first joining them on loan in the summer of 2023, helping them to promotion last season and into the play-off places during the current campaign.
But Villa have recalled him with a view to sending out again to a club playing at a higher level, and while the likes of Leeds United are currently seen as a likely destination, Stoke might yet pull a rabbit out of a hat.
They have one loan slot available to fill, presuming the likes of Lewis Koumas stick around beyond next month, and already have a good working relationship with Villa after borrowing Jaden Philogene for half a season two years ago. And the need for a potential wide man has become a little more urgent since Million Manhoef was ruled out for up to three months.
Of course, all this talk of transfers begs one very awkward question - will Narcis Palach still be in charge when the dust settles on Stoke’s limited January business? With games against three tough opponents in Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley coming up, nothing is set in stone.
