Stoke are looking to build on the positive momentum shown in the latter stages of the season under Steven Schumacher and have already made a number of shrewd signings ahead of the upcoming season, with the aim of mounting a sustained bid for the play-off places for the first time in their current second tier stint, which is now entering its sixth year.
Meanwhile, United’s summer has been well-documented at length amid a backdrop of ongoing takeover talks with a US-based consortium, whilst Chris Wilder continues to set about reshaping his squad after a dismal Premier League campaign.
Similarly to the Potters, a number of signings with proven Championship experience have already been made, and the potential acquisition of Souttar would continue their recent transfer policy trends.
Stoke City plot Harry Souttar reunion amid Sheffield United interest
As referenced above, John Percy of The Telegraph has revealed a potential transfer battle which could commence among a plethora of second tier sides, despite the fact only Stoke and the Blades have been name-dropped as potential destinations at this moment in time.
Percy claims that Souttar is set to complete a loan switch away from the King Power Stadium across this summer window, despite the Foxes’ appointment of Steve Cooper following Enzo Maresca’s departure to Chelsea in June.
This could see Stoke reunite with the centre-back who first made a name for himself at the Bet365 Stadium after joining from Dundee United for a reported £200,000 fee as a 17-year-old back in the autumn of 2016.
They eventually saw Souttar depart for Leicester in a £15m deal back in January 2023 after 70 consistent performances in red and white, as well as impressing for the Socceroos at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Furthermore, this isn’t the first time this calendar year that the aforementioned Wilder has expressed an interest in signing Souttar, with links previously emerging between the defender and United back in January alongside the likes of Everton and Leeds United.
Harry Souttar’s struggles since joining Leicester City
There’s no secret that Souttar’s stock has taken a massive downward trajectory since moving to the Foxes 18 months ago, which wasn’t helped by the club’s relegation back to the Championship under Dean Smith.
However, Souttar fell victim to Maresca’s success as the Italian opted for a well-established centre-back pairing of Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes across an eventual title-winning campaign, leaving the Aussie with just four appearances to his name in the Championship and EFL Cup and a gaping hole over his future.
