Predicting Stoke City's 2 next big money departures ft Million Manhoef | OneFootball

The Potters could sell these two players for sizeable sums in the future

Stoke City have adopted a different transfer strategy in recent years compared to previous seasons, and their approach of signing young players from overseas in the hope that they will turn into top Championship players looks to be on the right track so far.

Since being in the second-tier, the Potters have largely only delved into the domestic market for players, but recent developments have seen them trust the overseas market more in a bid to finally mount a challenge on the top half of the league.

Numerous investments have been made on low risk, high potential players from across the world in transfer windows gone by, and while improvements on the pitch have been slow as a team, there are some real individual talents in the Stoke squad that could go on to ply their trade at a higher level very soon.

With that said, FLW have picked out two Potters players that have the potential to be sold on for a significant sum of money in the near future.

Million Manhoef

Million Manhoef has been one of Stoke's key players since his January arrival from Eredivisie outfit Vitesse, and his performances have seemingly gone up another level this term after he attracted transfer interest throughout the summer.

Manhoef quickly became one of the Potters', and the Championship's, most exciting wingers in 2023/24 as he registered four goals and an assist in 14 games and played a key role in their eventually successful bid to avoid relegation to League One.

The 22-year-old has been the Potters' standout performer so far this season too, with three goals and two assists in nine games, including a crucial winner in the closing stages at Plymouth Argyle.

He has also been in fine form at international level for the Netherlands under-21 team, with three goals in his last three outings for Jong Oranje, so it is clear that he possesses the talents to reach an even higher level than the Championship if he continues to shine for both club and country.

Stoke are not set to let him depart easily, though, after reports in the summer stated that the Potters wanted upwards of £10m for his services amid apparent interest from Leeds United.

Given the continuation of his form into this campaign, he does leave ST4 anytime soon. It will surely not be for any less than the figure that was previously mooted.

Bae Jun-ho

South Korean winger Bae Jun-ho arrived in the Potteries as a relative unknown last August as he left his boyhood club Daejon Hana Citizen to join Stoke on a four-year deal for a fee believed to be around £2m, but a year on, and he is already a proven commodity in the second-tier.

The 20-year-old endured a slow start to life in English football as he adapted to his new surroundings, but began to force his way into the starting eleven under former boss Steven Schumacher, and played a crucial role in the second half of the campaign as he impressed Potters fans with his close control, quick dribbling and brilliant all-round technical ability.

He crowned his standout debut season by winning the club's Player of the Year award, as voted by the fans, ending the campaign with two goals and six assists in 40 games in all competitions, then won a call-up to the South Korean national team for the first time in June as a reward for his club form, and netted on his debut for the Taegeuk Warriors.

Jun-ho was reportedly courted by clubs in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A in the summer, while Feyenoord and Fulham were specifically mentioned as admirers of the 21-year-old, but it was soon reported that there were no plans for Stoke to sell him, barring an incredible offer.

He stayed in ST4 as a result, and was handed the number 10 shirt for this season to highlight his increased importance to the side, but picked up a small injury on the eve of the first game and so has had a slow start to this term with just one assist in seven outings so far.

Regardless, he is still clearly a top talent, and certainly has the potential to be sold on for a sizeable fee if he leaves the club soon.