Stoke City urged to demand at least "£4m" as Aston Villa chase transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Stoke City fan pundit has given his verdict on Aston Villa's interest in Sol Sidibe

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…

Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Sol Sidibe from Stoke City this summer.

According to John Percy, the Premier League side are eyeing a move for the 18-year-old after he broke into the Potters’ first team plans.

Injuries prevented the youngster from featuring under Mark Robins, but the midfielder still made eight appearances in the Championship last year.

Sidibe has two years remaining on his current Stoke contract, giving the Championship club leverage in any potential transfer negotiations.

Stoke urged to take Sol Sidibe stance

When asked should the club keep or cash in on Sidibe, FLW’s Stoke fan pundit Sam Harrison told the club to do everything they can to keep him.

He believes the player should be looked at by Robins in pre-season, and either a loan move should be sought, or he should have a role in the team for next year as a secondary option.

“I think Stoke should do everything they can to keep hold of Sol Sidibe,” Harrison told Football League World.

“I think, if he stays injury-free, it’s going to be a solid season for him, the one coming up.

“It will be interesting to see what happens with him.

“I mean last season, yes, he did have his injuries, that obviously saw him out during the period where Mark Robins was in charge, but we did see him feature a number of times, I think it was seven or eight appearances that he made last season for us.

“And I think he’s one where, give him the chance, see what he does and I think you look at how Nathan Lowe did last season.

“Sent out on loan to Walsall, smashed it out of the park, hopefully something similar to that [happens], so Stoke should move to keep hold of him.

“Obviously, he’ll be given a chance by Mark Robins, and then could it be that he stays within the team or he gets sent out on loan.

“But I think, if he was to go, Stoke should be reluctant to let him go but, if you look at Villa and their recruitment and at the end of the day nothing wrong with it, but Villa have the money there to spend, in terms of obviously what they’ve achieved and what they’ll be able to have.”

£4 million Sidibe asking price

Harrison has claimed that any deal with Villa for Sidibe should be worth around £4 million, with a sell-on clause included as well.

“At 18-years-of-age, loads of potential, in the England youth setup, a great player and absolutely someone that absolutely would shine, I think you’re looking at, say, £4 million,” he added.

“I think that’s realistic, I don’t know but maybe £4m, around that.

“And possibly looking at your sell-on clauses and that, I think that would be a good option for Stoke.

“I think that that’s what they should look at and aim high.

“I think they should go to Villa, how much do you want him, and I think that genuinely there’s a very solid player there, that’s going to grow, that’s going to develop, hopefully he can do that at Stoke.

“Because, if you look at it, if he goes to Villa, would he not then be sent out on loan?

“So, would it be a case of possibly seeing how much Villa do want him, but I think £4 million right now, obviously having that injury could make it lower.

“I just think that’s realistic for him, maybe it’s too optimistic — I’m not too sure.

“But I just think with him, this season it’s going to be a big season for him, it will be interesting to see what Mark Robins decides to do.

“I think a loan could be the right option for him, or we could see him involved in the first team in terms of a squad basis.”

Sidibe sale should come with a sizable fee

If Stoke are going to be convinced to sell Sidibe this summer it should come at a cost of around £4 million.

For a Premier League club to show an interest in a young player is a sign that they see something special in him, which adds significant value.

While the injury issues this season have set back his development, the player still has two years left on his deal and that means Stoke don’t need to sell.

And any sale, if it comes to fruition, should also absolutely include a sell-on clause, given how lucrative they can be.