Stoke City are interested in a move for Accrington Stanley talisman Dion Charles as they step up their summer recruitment drive, according to journalist Alan Nixon [via Stoke Sentinel].
The Lowdown: Stoke City gear up for new season
Moving into 2021/22, the Potters will be hoping to acquire the necessary personnel to mount a Championship promotion charge following a disappointing 14th-placed finish last term.
Making inroads on the transfer front, the Staffordshire outfit have tied up deals for former Watford centre-back Ben Wilmot, alongside free agent goalkeeper Jack Bonham, most recently of Gillingham [BBC].
Could they now be set to complete a third summer signing following recent developments?
The Latest: Potters interested in £2m move for Dion Charles
Stoke are said to be keen on a move for Accrington Stanley poacher Charles [Stoke Sentinel]
With the 25-year-old also said to be courting attention from Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City, Derby County, Rotherham United and Brentford, it could cost around £2m to prise him away from the Wham Stadium, as relayed by Nixon on Twitter [via Stoke Sentinel].
Charles has recently been capped by the Northern Ireland international side, making his debut against the United States in March [BBC].
The Verdict: Charles would be an excellent signing for Stoke
Requiring fresh impetus ahead of the forthcoming season, the 25-year-old would represent an excellent addition at the Britannia Stadium.
In 2020/21, he made an outstanding contribution to the Accrington Stanley cause, with 20 goals and four assists from 49 appearances in all competitions [Transfermarkt]. Albeit at a lower level than Stoke, that tally was beaten by only one Potters player last term [WhoScored].
Unsurprisingly, he recorded the largest shots per game average within the entire squad; weighing in with a whopping 2.7 per match [WhoScored].
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Once labelled as ‘brilliant’ by his former Southport manager Liam Watson [Belfast Newsletter], Stoke should look to finalise Charles’ signature and add some firepower to their attack for a relatively low cost.
In other news, these Potters fans have been reacting to an update on a former Stoke City player.