Stoke City ‘May Come In’ For Attacker

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Stoke City ‘may come in’ for Sheffield United striker Tom Cannon if they cannot get a deal for George Hirst over the line.

The Potters are keen on Ipswich Town man Hirst, but there is substantial competition, while the Tractor Boys are only looking for a permanent deal and not a loan.

The jury is out on whether Stoke will be able to bring Hirst to the Potteries, however they could have other irons in the fire in the event the move does not happen.

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One of those options could be Cannon, who had a loan spell at the club in the 2024/25 campaign, before he then joined Sheffield United the following summer.

Cannon is currently being looked at by Preston North End and Sheffield United would want the fee they paid to Leicester City, which was an initial £7m, rising to £10m, to let him leave.

Stoke could well make a move for him if they do not get Hirst, but would not go up to £10m.

Journalist Alan Nixon wrote on his Patreon: “Stoke may come in … if don’t get Hirst … but they won’t go to 10 either.”

Sheffield United will be hoping there are a host of clubs keen on Cannon if they are to sell him, as that could help the Blades to push his asking price up.

Stoke could get an influx of funds from selling Jun-ho Bae to French side Lyon, but when that will happen is unclear.

Lyon need to bring in cash before being able to complete a swoop for the South Korean, leaving the Potters playing the waiting game.

Stoke’s Sorba Thomas is also a wanted man this summer, with West Ham United keen and the winger very much aware of the Hammers’ interest.

Thomas though could have an option abroad as he is being considered by Italian Serie A side Genoa.

Stoke moved for another striker earlier this summer, putting in an offer to sign Daniel Karlsbakk from Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg, but it was turned down as the Eliteserien club did not feel it matched their valuation.