"I’m not trying to be biased" - How much money Stoke City must demand for Viktor Johansson | OneFootball

FLW's Stoke City fan pundit has given his verdict on Viktor Johansson's future at the club

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Stoke City endured an underwhelming Championship campaign in which they finished 18th in the table.

Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson managed to stand out as a key figure for the Potters, enjoying a strong first year with the club.

However, their disappointing league finish could lead to the 26-year-old to consider his future already.

It was reported by Sport Bladet back in March that Bournemouth were considering a potential approach for the shot-stopper this month, which would offer him the chance to compete in the Premier League next year, if a move came to fruition.

Stoke urged to keep Johansson

When asked if he's concerned about Johansson going this summer, FLW’s Stoke fan pundit Sam Harrison claimed the club have to do everything they can to keep the player.

He believes the Swede was one of the top goalkeepers in the entire division last season, and that he could be a valuable part of the spine of the team under Mark Robins, if he stays.

“I think it’s going to be a huge task for Stoke to keep hold of Viktor Johansson,” Harrison told Football League World.

“He’s obviously Stoke’s player of the season last season in what was another poor season for us.

“I think he’s one of the standouts.

“And the thing is, he was one of the top keepers in the Championship, let alone at the club, in terms of his statistics, so he has every right to have attraction from other Championship clubs, and Premier League clubs.

“I’ve seen a number of Premier League sides saying they want competition for their keepers, Johansson is one of them, but I just think what Stoke should do is do their hardest to keep hold of him.

“I think he’ll be one of them that Mark Robins sees as the spine of the side.

“One of the big, big foundations of how Stoke could do well is having a keeper, and I think Stoke haven’t had a permanent keeper in the last few seasons.

“We’ve looked at loans, we’ve had Travers, we’ve had Iversen, now we’ve got Johansson and he’s permanent, and after what’s been a brilliant season, if we want to do well then Johansson is going to be perfect.”

Viktor Johansson asking price

Harrison suggested that it should take somewhere between £7 and 8 million to convince Stoke to sell Johansson this summer.

“So, I think, saying that, Mark Robins will set a high price for if you’re to let him go, which would be a shame,” he added.

“He’s a very likeable player, and on and off the pitch he’s been absolutely fantastic.

“In the squad, he looks like he’s a likeable character and the fanbase absolutely love him.

“I’m not trying to be biased, but I just think when you’re a top keeper, and in the Championship, and obviously will have that attraction from the top end clubs, and possibly you’re promoted teams in the Premier League, I’m looking at around £7m-£8m.

“I don’t know if that’s too high, but I just think for a player of his quality and standard, what he brings to the table, if Stoke let him go they have to get the money in for him.

“Don’t get me wrong, it would be fantastic profit on him, but the role that he plays in this time, I think if we could sell him for £7 or 8 million, I think Stoke fans would be happy with that.

“Anything lower, if it’s £4 or 5 million, you’ll look at it going ‘I don’t know,’ I just think he’s worth more in terms of the role he plays in the team.

“I think for the next season, under Mark Robins, for what could be a different, different Stoke side in the Championship, he is going to be key.

“And I think Stoke need to look at that think ‘well, if he’s to go, let’s get the money’.”

Johansson is a must keep for Stoke

Stoke lacked quality in the squad last year, so selling one of the few players that consistently performed well would put them on the backfoot.

The club already have a lot of work to do to improve the team for next year, having to also find an adequate replacement for the Swede on top of all that would be too much.

It would have to take a serious offer for the goalkeeper for that stance to change, and it remains to be seen whether that will be forthcoming.

Johansson is one of the best players in his position in the Championship, which makes him a very valuable asset for Stoke to hold onto for another season.