POTTERS' MIDFIELD TARGET

Stoke reportedly among the Championship clubs keeping tabs on Clermont middle man Keita

- Ethan Evans

STOKE City have joined a host of other Championship clubs in the race for Clermont Foot's highly-rated midfielder Habib Keita, according to reports.

The 23-year-old, who operates more of a defensive role in the centre of the park, joined the Ligue 2 outfit from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023.

He played a starring role last season, featuring regularly for Les Auvergnats as he racked up 30 appearances across all competitions.

But he did not play in the last five games of the season, coinciding with his decision to change agents-which is typically a sign of a player looking to move on.

French news outlet L'Equipe has reported the Malian 'is likely to leave' Clermont Foot this summer despite his contract running until 2027.

The Potters, as well as Queens Park Rangers, have been named as admirers, though there remains other unnamed clubs from the English second tier also circling for Keita's signature.