Stoke City latest: Josh Laurent exit claim, Rak-Sakyi loan battle, David Okagbue news | OneFootball

Football League World rounds up the latest Potters news and rumours

Stoke City face a big summer of clear-outs and wise transfer decisions as they look to finally push on in the Championship.

Steven Schumacher is undergoing his first summer as Potters boss, and has already decided to dip his toe into the transfer market, with standout goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, experienced centre-back Ben Gibson and exciting wing-back Eric Bocat arriving from Rotherham United, Norwich City and Sint-Truiden respectively.

Numerous first-team players have departed upon the expiry of their contracts, while centre-back Matthew Baker has rejoinedNewport County permanently after both clubs reached a compensation agreement, and young goalkeeper Tommy Simkin joinedWalsall on a season-long loan on June 2.

There have been changes off the pitch too, with Lee Darnbrough appointed as the club's new head of recruitment after departing an equivalent role at Hull City following seven years with the Tigers.

Schumacher should be happy with the current blend of youth and experience in his squad, but there will still be plenty of incomings and outgoings on their radar this summer, and with that in mind, Football League World outlines the latest transfer news coming out of the Potteries.

Overseas approach made to Josh Laurent

The Potters' club captain Josh Laurent is being targeted by Turkish Super Lig side Gaziantep, according to Turkish outlet Telgraf.

Their report states that Gaziantep are seriously interested in the 29-year-old, and are awaiting a response to an apparent offer that has been submitted to Stoke and Laurent.

Laurent moved from Reading to the bet365 Stadium in 2022, and has since made 76 appearances and registered 14 goals and assists from central midfield and was made captain by ex-boss Alex Neil in 2023.

Despite being a key figure under both Neil and current head-coach Steven Schumacher, he was linked with a move away to Serie A side Frosinone last summer, and now seemingly has another decision to make about his future.

He has just one year left on his Stoke deal, and the club could surely be tempted to cash in this summer before he may be allowed to leave for nothing in 2025.

Stoke join Jesurun Rak-Sakyi loan chase

Stoke have asked Crystal Palace about the possibility of having winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan for the upcoming season, according to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon.

The Potters are not the only ones linked though, with Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town, Blackburn Rovers all quoted with an interest in the 21-year-old by Nixon.

Steven Schumacher is yet to bolster his attacking ranks so far this summer, but is likely to be pursuing numerous targets after Stoke's forward line largely failed to impress in 2023/24.

Rak-Sakyi is a talented young wide-man and looks set to move on loan to the Championship this summer, after a successful season at Charlton Athletic in League One in 2022/23 and a breakthrough into the Eagles' first-team last campaign.

It would certainly be a huge coup for Stoke if they could get his signing over the line this summer ahead of the host of second-tier clubs that are reportedly interested.

David Okagbue set to leave the club

20-year-old centre-back David Okagbue has rejected a new Stoke contract and is set to leave and join Walsall on a free transfer, according to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke.

Irish youth international Okagbue has not made a senior appearance for the Potters since his arrival from St Kevin's Boys in 2020, instead spending time on loan at Chester, Oldham Athletic and then Walsall last season.

He made 35 appearances for the Saddlers in all competitions in 2023/24, and impressed as they pushed for the play-off places but eventually finished 11th.

That good form led Stoke to offer Okagbue a new deal in May, but he is reportedly likely to turn that down in favour of a permanent move to the Bescot Stadium.

Much like fellow centre-back Matt Baker, who turned down an extension with Stoke to join Newport County, Okagbue's potential move is likely motivated by a desire to play regularly, with Ben Wilmot, Ben Gibson and Michael Rose all ahead of him in the pecking order for a starting place in the Championship.