“Hardly surprising” – Wolves and Stoke City implications analysed amid latest transfer links: The verdict | OneFootball

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Football League World

·30 December 2022

“Hardly surprising” – Wolves and Stoke City implications analysed amid latest transfer links: The verdict

Article image:“Hardly surprising” – Wolves and Stoke City implications analysed amid latest transfer links: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Wolverhampton Wanderers are one of two sides in the top flight eyeing a potential move for Stoke City defender Harry Souttar in January.


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That is according to TEAMTALK, who report that Wolves, along with fellow Premier League side West Ham, have expressed an interest in the central defender.

Souttar recently starred for Australia at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, receiving plenty of praise for his performances in the Middle East despite just returning from an ACL injury that saw him miss a year of Stoke action.

With that said, below, three of our FLW writers have discussed the potential move, and the implications it would have for both West Ham and Stoke.

Simmey Hannifin-Donaldson

It’s hardly surprising to read about Premier League clubs coming in for Harry Souttar.

The Aussie defender was brilliant at the World Cup, showcasing his talent on the biggest stage of them all despite having just returned from a very serious injury.

It would be a good signing for Wolves, too, with the club looking to solidify their defensive options ahead of what looks set to be a tricky second half of the season at Molineux.

Undoubtedly, though, it would be a big loss for Stoke City to lose the 24-year-old, who they would have hoped could help their own campaign in the second half of the season.

With the Potters struggling, they’ll have been eyeing Souttar coming back into the side and helping push them up the table in the second half of the season.

Quiz: Can you name which club Wolves signed these 20 players from when they were in the Football League?

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Article image:“Hardly surprising” – Wolves and Stoke City implications analysed amid latest transfer links: The verdict

Kevin McDonald

Burnley Dundee Sheffield United Celtic

Declan Harte

Wolves have had a poor first half of the season and find themselves in a relegation battle.

That kind of uncertainty over their status in the Premier League may persuade Souttar against making this switch in January.

Yet, the Australian could form quite a formidable partnership with Nathan Collins or Max Kilman, which would definitely strengthen Julen Lopetegui’s side.

Souttar is ready for Premier League action, with his World Cup performances highlighting his potential to make it at the top level.

But perhaps a summer move may be a more worthwhile pursuit, especially as losing him mid-season would be a huge blow to Stoke’s campaign.

Adam Jones

It would be a major blow for the Potters to lose him so quickly following his recovery from an ACL injury.

Although he has already shown his class at the bet365 Stadium, it still feels as though they haven’t seen the best of the Australian just yet following his bright performances at the World Cup.

His experience in Qatar will be a real positive for the Potters though and with this under his belt, you feel he would be a better Championship centre-back option than most in the market following their previous interest in QPR’s Rob Dickie.

At 24 as well, he will only get better so this could be a worthwhile addition.

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