Stoke City will let ‘important’ star leave if they ‘double their money’ on him as Championship rivals keen
EFL Analysis can confirm that Stoke City are open to letting one of their standout players depart amid interest from Championship rivals, including Sheffield United.
Stoke City flirted with relegation to League One towards the end of last season, and after surviving the dreaded drop under manager Mark Robins, the club has been busy in the transfer market.
So far in the summer transfer window, the Potters acquired Sorba Thomas from Huddersfield Town, which left Stoke fans delighted at Thomas’ signing.
This week, Stoke have targeted Plymouth Argyle defender Maksym Talovierov for a summer move after Argyle’s relegation, and Talovierov has broken his silence amid the Potters’ push to sign him.
Aside from incomings, the Potters are braced for interest in one of their prized assets this summer, and EFL Analysis can confirm that Stoke are willing to let their star man go, if the price is right.
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Stoke City will let Wouter Burger leave if they ‘double their money’
The Potters are braced for several high-profile departures this summer, as Million Manhoef could leave Stoke this summer amid the club’s PSR fears, with news coming a week after Manhoef opened the door for a Stoke exit earlier in the window.
Another one of Stoke’s prized assets who could exit the Bet 365 Stadium this summer is central midfielder Wouter Burger.
Via information from our Chief Football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, EFL Analysis understands that Stoke will allow Burger to leave the club if the right offer arrives this summer and there is substantial interest.
The imposing Dutch midfielder moved to the Potters from Swiss giants Basel in August 2023 on a four-year deal worth in the region of £4million.
Burger has impressed since his move and a number of clubs are looking closely at his situation.
EFL Analysis understands that Stoke would consider allowing Burger to leave if they ‘doubled their money’ on him this summer.
We are told there is Premier League interest, but he could very well stay in the Championship with a number of their second tier rivals keen.
One of the clubs who ‘like’ him are believed to be Sheffield United, who have agreed a deal to sell stand-out star Vini Souza to Wolfsburg.
Given Burger’s importance to Stoke’s survival last season, Robins will be reluctant to let the Dutchman depart the club this summer.
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What Stoke City boss Mark Robins thinks about Wouter Burger
Dutchman Burger has featured 86 times for Stoke since his switch from Basel, lodging five goals and six assists in his two-season stint.
Amid the club’s battle for survival last season, offers rolled in for the 23-year-old in the January window, which were rebuffed by the Stoke hierarchy.
Via the BBC, Robins said of Burger: “There was a potential to lose Wouter, so I’m pleased that he’s still here,
| Key statistic | Wouter Burger in 24/25 |
| Games played | 39 |
| Goals + Assists | 1 + 1 |
| Duels won | 180 |
| Interceptions | 51 |
“He’s a really important player, he’s a really good player and he’s somebody who I think can improve further.
“There is a good player in there – 100% there is. I’m pleased with what I’ve seen with Wouter so far.”
Stoke were last in the top flight in 2017/18, and Robins will be hoping to push the Potters up the Championship table next season to improve on the club’s 18th-placed finish last season.
However, if the Blades or another Championship rival secure Burger’s services this summer, Robins’ Stoke task in the 2025/26 Championship season will be made much harder as a result of the Dutchman’s departure.
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