Kasey McAteer signs: How Stoke City's dream 2025 January transfer window may look | OneFootball

Narcis Pelach will be able to alter his Potters squad for the first time in January

Stoke City look to be on the right track under new boss Narcis Pelach, and while he was not able to affect any previous transfer dealings, he is set to get the first chance to alter his squad in the January window.

Pelach was not involved in any of the club's transfers over the summer, as he was only appointed as head coach in September after Steven Schumacher was relieved of his duties just five games into the campaign.

As a result, the Spaniard will likely want to change up his squad with some incomings and outgoings in the new year, as well as retaining some of his key men, which will be easier, or tougher, dependent on the Potters' league position and form at the time.

Stoke do not need to do a lot of business, after 10 new signings in the summer and a lot of exits, but they will still be active in the transfer market, and with that in mind, Football League World have outlined what a dream January window could look like for the Potters.

Million Manhoef stays

Million Manhoef has been one of Stoke's key players since his January arrival from Eredivisie outfit Vitesse, and it is imperative that they keep him in January and fend off any likely transfer interest from other clubs.

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, and his performances have seemingly gone up another level this term after he attracted transfer interest throughout the summer.

Stoke were not set to let him depart easily, though, and reports stated that the Potters wanted upwards of £10m for his services amid apparent interest from Leeds United, so his form from the start of this campaign could well mean more interest is likely.

Pelach will hope that Stoke do not cave to any interest, which is unlikely given the potential price tag and his importance to the team, but is impossible to rule out, especially if he continues to shine up to the turn of the year.

Kasey McAteer joins

It will have come as a surprise to see Leicester City winger Kasey McAteer stay with the Foxes beyond the summer, and even more so considering his lack of game time in the Premier League this season.

Republic of Ireland international McAteer was heavily linked with loan moves to the likes of Cardiff City and Hull City throughout the last transfer window after being a key part of Leicester's 2023/24 Championship title-winning campaign, but didn't end up departing the King Power Stadium and so has been largely restricted to fleeting substitute appearances under new boss Steve Cooper this term.

Stoke will surely be in the market for a right-wing addition in January, with Lewis Koumas not consistent enough to be a regular starter, and Andre Vidigal unlikely to force himself into Pelach's thinking anytime soon having only just returned from injury, and possibly set to depart in the same window.

McAteer would be the ideal signing, as a result, and makes sense for all parties given Stoke's link with the Foxes in current loanee Tom Cannon, their strong core of Irish internationals such as Andrew Moran, Enda Stevens and Bosun Lawal, and the strong relationship between Potters sporting director Jon Walters and current Leicester loans manager Robert Huth, who were once teammates at the bet365 Stadium.

Ricard Sanchez joins

Stoke's Spanish influence of old has returned with the arrival of Pelach, and so the club may look to sign some talents from the head-coach's native country in January to fit his quick passing style of play.

Right-back Ricard Sanchez would be the perfect signing for the Potters in the new year, given their recent struggles in the position and his clear talent, which has been on show in his time with Granada in the Spanish top-flight and second-tier, since he moved to them from Atlético Madrid in 2021.

Stoke were sorted at right-back due to Ki-Jana Hoever's impressive showings on loan over the last 18 months, but he did not return in the summer and both Schumacher and Pelach have had to contend with Junior Tchamadeu's poor form and Lynden Gooch's injuries this season, with Ben Wilmot playing out of position there as a result of their struggles.

That means that Sanchez would be an ideal addition, as he has been a standout with Granada and helped them win promotion to La Liga in 2022/23, but is out of contract at the end of the season and so may well be available in January for a cut-price fee.

When compared to other full-backs in the Segunda División for 2022/23, Sanchez was in the 81st percentile for progressive passes per 90 (4.17), 80th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 (2.37), 92nd percentile for tackles in the attacking third per 90 (0.35) and 84th percentile for xA (expected assists) with 0.13 per 90, according to FBref.

He would be a valuable pick-up for Stoke going forward, and at just 24-years-old, may solve their right-back issue for a good few years to come.

Niall Ennis leaves

Striker Niall Ennis joined the club in the last January transfer window with Stoke struggling in front of goal, after he had shone under Schumacher during their time together at Plymouth Argyle, and had struggled to find his feet at Blackburn Rovers following a move to Ewood Park last summer.

He has also struggled for form at the bet365 Stadium though, as he netted just once in 14 league games in his first six months, and has been pushed further down the pecking order this season due to the arrival of the likes of Tom Cannon and Sam Gallagher, and the emergence of youngster Emre Tezgel.