Latest Stoke City transfer news from StokeonTrentLive as Ki-Jana Hoever deal likely to see Mehdi Leris head back to Italy
Attempts by Stoke City to lure Wolves defender Ki-Jana Hoever back to the club could prompt the exit of Mehdi Leris, who is in demand in Italy.
Sources claim Stoke boss Steven Schumacher is keen to see Hoever return to the bet365 Stadium next term, along with fellow Wolves loan player Luke Cundle.
The Dutchman appeared 44 times for the Potters last season, his second spell on loan at Stoke, and no-one has scored more goals for the club over the past 18 months.
But should Stoke beat off interest from Sheffield United to land Hoever for a third time, they are likely to sanction a deal for Leris to join Serie B side Pisa, a situation given credence by developments in Italy overnight.
According to the Italian media, there has been a delay in the move and Leris’s medical has apparently been pushed back a few days – presumably while Stoke investigate whether a deal for Hoever is realistic.
Schumacher has used Leris at right-back in pre-season, although the Stoke head coach also has cover there in the form of Junior Tchamadeu and the versatile Lynden Gooch. But should Hoever return, something will have to give.
According to the Sport Witness website, the expectation in Italy was that Leris would arrive in Pisa this week to complete a €3m move. That has not happened, and La Nazioneare now reporting that “one last detail” remains to be ironed out with Stoke – very likely their own attempts to land Hoever. What is unclear is what happens to Leris should a Hoever deal be a no-go.
The 26-year-old Algeria international joined Stoke from Sampdoria last August, and the club were believed to have rebuffed initial interest in the player, who has an Italian wife.
Schumacher said at the time: “He [Leris] is physically different to Lynden Gooch and Junior Tchamadeu and gives us height and strength, and that aerial presence we might need throughout the season.
“Mehdi is someone who has played there [at right-back] before. He’s played there over in Italy and he’s played as a wing-back as well. He’s got great energy, he can run all day, he’s good in the air, and when he gets the opportunity to cross the ball, he can put some good deliveries in as well.”