Stoke City Transfer News, Analysis and Overview – 2024
Stoke City is a renowned English club which plays in the EFL Championship currently. The football club from Staffordshire played in the Premier League last in the 2017/18 season and faced relegation following a 19th-placed finish in that calendar year. Ever since the club came into existence, they have experienced a journey of highs and lows, with multiple relegations and promotions hanging on their path. Amidst all these things, the most notable matter is the transfer strategy and philosophy of Stoke City. The Potters have been following a unique business model in transfers since its inception in 1861.
Their current manager Narcis Pelach’s approach also reflects the ethos of the English club currently, at least the club’s recent transfers say so. Stoke City is not a rich club, and the signings for the 2024/25 summer transfer season have been executed through a cautious approach so far. With an estimated net worth of £3.4 billion, the English Championship club have cut down their transfer budget following several disaster signings in the recent past.
Stoke City Transfers Club Performance History
Stoke City won their last major trophy in the form of League Cup in 1972. This explains how the club has performed in the transfer market throughout the years. Their last EFL Championship trophy came in 1963. Since then, the Potters have not brought any major title to bet365 Stadium. Since 1990, the English outfit spent over £300 million in the transfer market without witnessing any fruitful result on the pitch. In the 2024/25 summer transfer window, Stoke City have bought over 11 players worth around £500,000 to strengthen especially their attack and defense. But, they still have not been able to enjoy success as such, given their current 14th position in the Championship. A string of unsuccessful transfers has downgraded the morale of the club management and supporters.
Stoke City Transfer Strategy and Philosophy
Once a popular club in English football, Stoke City have struggled to find worthy players in the transfer market to bring glory and happiness to the club. Their core strategy in the transfer business has always relied on the philosophy of finding under-valued players from other teams, especially from English clubs across three divisions. The most expensive transfer in the history of Stoke City is Giannelli Imbula’s arrival from FC Porto for a fee of £21.5 million, that too in 2016.
The Potters have never breached the £30 million mark when it comes to transfer business, reflecting their mentality to bring in young talents with less popularity. Stoke City have never been a home to any top player as they have always believed in underrated players who will be able to play as a team player rather than rising as a hero.
Stoke City Transfer 2024 Challenges & Criticisms
The most important challenge Stoke City face in the transfer business is their under-performing scouting network. Since 2020, the Potters have lured in plenty of players from other English and foreign clubs. But, no one has been able to rise to the occasion to save the team when it mattered most. Thirteen new players have come to bet365 Stadium in the 2024 summer transfer window, but they have not been welcomed with open hands by the club supporters.
There have been multiple protests outside the English Championship club’s training ground Clayton Wood, rejecting the Potters’ decision to not go after any big-money signing. As the club is in disarray and has shown no sign of returning to the English Premier League anytime soon, the only thing they can improve is their transfer strategy. Following a budget-friendly approach has not brought them any luck since their relegation to English second-division football in 2016.
Most Expensive Stoke City Transfers
Stoke City have always rejected the thought of signing expensive players as the idea of spending a lot of money goes against the ethos of the club. The Championship outfit have always preferred to keep their bidding under £25 million, given their limited budget allocation for transfers. Having said that, let’s take a look at the most expensive Stoke City transfers in the club’s history.
| Player | Transfer fee | Club (from) | Year |
| Giannelli Imbula | £21.5 million | FC Porto | 2016 |
| Kevin Wimmer | £16.7 million | Tottenham Hotspur | 2017 |
| Xherdan Shaqiri | £14.62 million | Inter Milan | 2016 |
| Badou Ndiaye | £13.8 million | Galatasaray | 2018 |
Stoke City Transfers New Signings 2024/25
Stoke City have been very busy in the 2024/25 summer transfer window, even with a low transfer budget. The Potters have made 11 new signings this year, bringing in fresh legs to bolster their squad. Their main focus in the inaugural window of this season’s transfer market was to find top defenders to minimise the worries of their troubled backline. Bosun Lawal and Eric-Junior Bocat have been bought for a combined fee of £3 million.
| Player | Transfer fee | Club (from) |
| Bosun Lawal | £2.01 million | Celtic B |
| Sam Gallagher | £1.55 million | Blackburn |
| Eric-Junior Bocat | £1.03 million | Sint Truiden |
| Viktor Johansson | £1 million | Rotherham |
Stoke City Transfers All Outgoing 2024/2025
Stoke City have offloaded more than 12 players in the 2024/25 transfer market, earning £3.75 million from the players’ sales. Mehdi Leris, who has continued to fail for the past few seasons, has been shown the exit door for a £2.6 million deal.
| Player | Transfer fee | Club (to) |
| Mehdi Leris | £2.6 million | Pisa |
| Josh Laurent | £1.12 million | Burnley |
| Tyrese Campbell | Free transfer | Sheffield United |
| Wesley Moraes | Free transfer | Karagumruk |
Top Signings for Stoke City in 2024-25
Stoke City have completed multiple signings this season, and the most standout one amongst them has been Sam Gallagher. The 29-year-old English forward has recorded one goal and as many assists in just three Championship appearances this season. He has already shown glimpses of a bright future. Bosun Lawal has also performed well in defense alongside another new recruit Eric-Junior Bocat.
Worst Signings for Stoke City in 2024-25
As the new arrivals have not spent much time on the pitch, it’s impossible to find the worst signings for Stoke City in the 2024/25 season. However, the new center-back from Norwich City, Ben Gibson has failed to impress the bet365 supporters after two disastrous displays in the EFL Championship.
Stoke City transfer Spend Till Now
Stoke City have always maintained a cost-effective approach in the transfer market, and the 2024/25 transfer window has been no different. In the summer transfer window, the Potters have spent around £5.75 million in buying new players, while amassing £3.7 million from their sales.
| Total Spend | Total Received |
| £5.75 million | £3.7 million |
FAQs
What are the most significant transfers in Stoke City history?
The significant transfers in Stoke City’s history are as follows – Xherdan Shaqiri, Peter Crouch and Joe Allen.
Who is responsible for transfers at Stoke City?
The club manager Narcis Pelach and the sporting director Jonathan Walters oversee the transfers at Stoke City.
What are some of the most expensive transfers in Stoke City transfer history?
Some of the most expensive transfers in Stoke City transfer history are – Giannelli Imbula, Xherdan Shaqiri, Kevin Wimmer, and Joe Allen.
What are Stoke City top transfers this season?
The top transfers of Stoke City this season are – Sam Gallagher, Bosun Lawal and Eric-Junior Bocat.
What are the most profit-generating sales for Stoke City?
The two most profit-generating sales for Stoke City are – Harry Souttar (to Leicester City) and Xherdan Shaqiri (to Liverpool).