STOKE EYE MARKET MOVES

Potters hoping Championship deals will hot up as they look to rebuild Robins' first-team squad

- Peter Smith

STOKE City are hoping that the transfer market will step up a gear this week as they continue rebuilding the squad for Mark Robins' first full season as manager.

Stoke have brought in Sorba Thomas so far ahead of the first team's return to pre-season training tomorrow, which is also the day when the Championship fixtures are confirmed for 2025/26. Four senior players have left, plus five loanees.

They are believed to be in talks with targets - and in talks with clubs about potential signings - but, as ever, the close-season window has been relatively quiet across the board. The start of pre-season is heralding a sharp increase in phone calls and decisions.

There have been just 38 signings across the division so far, including loans turned permanent, and eight clubs are yet to strike. At the other end of the spectrum, Preston North End have brought in five - four free agents and a loan; Swansea and Norwich have signed four.