Stoke City 'launch bid' for Championship winger
Stoke City have made a bid for Bristol City winger Mark Sykes, it is claimed.
The 27-year-old is out of contract this summer but Bristol City have an option to extend it for 12 months and he appears to be pretty popular with supporters, having been used across the pitch in 15 league appearances so far this season.
Sykes, who joined from Oxford United in 2022, is one away from a century of matches for Bristol City and boss Liam Manning insisted at the weekend that he had heard nothing about exit talk - and that he would want to keep him.
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But Sky Sports now report that Stoke have made a bid as they try to land the five-time capped Republic of Ireland international before deadline day next Monday.
Mark Robins has already signed left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand on loan from Manchester City and striker Ali Al-Hamadi on loan from Ipswich Town, as well as recalling Nathan Lowe and Lewis Baker from loans at Walsall and Blackburn Rovers respectively.
The new manager has admitted there are areas of the squad that need bolstering and it is clear that options have been limited on the wing, particularly because Robins has said he sees Liverpool's Lewis Koumas as a central forward. Lynden Gooch was used on the left wing against Oxford on Saturday while Bae Junho has struggled to make an impact this year after a draining first season and a tooth infection. Million Manhoef is sidelined until probably March with a knee injury.
Andre Vidigal has fallen out of favour since early last season although he did score twice for the under-21s in a 5-1 romp against Reading on Monday night.
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