Wolves join Prem duo in race for Stoke behemoth likened to Maguire

Wolves have reportedly joined West Ham and Crystal Palace in the race to sign Stoke City defender Harry Souttar in the summer transfer window.

Souttar, 22, has been impressing at the heart of the Potters defence. The Australia international has started 32 of Stoke’s 38 Championship games this term. And, according to the Express, top-flight clubs have taken note. The report suggests the Premier League trio have all scouted the talented stopper in recent times.

He is under contract at the Bet365 Stadium until the summer of 2022. But it might be that he is prised away from the Potteries by the lure of Premier League football.

Souttar, the brother of Hearts defender John Souttar, began his professional career with Dundee United. He made just three appearances for The Terrors before signing for Stoke in September 2016.

But it took until this season for the 6 ft 6 in centre-half to see any real action for the club. He was loaned out to Ross County while joining Fleetwood Town for the second half of the 2018-2019 campaign.

He was back with The Cod Army for 2019-20 and enjoyed 36 League One outings before returning to Stoke last summer. Michael O’Neill gave him a chance to show what he can do and he has taken in with both hands.

The talented defender has been likened to Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire. Comfortable on the ball and with decent passing ability, he might soon take the next step in his career.

Souttar a bargain summer option

It remains to be seen if the English trio do firm up their interest in the youngster. But if they do, it seems as though any interested suitor will not have to pay a king’s ransom.

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The Daily Mail are suggesting that an offer of just £2m might be enough to get a deal done. However the Express believe it will take a ‘significant’ bid for Stoke to let him go.

The Souttar brothers actually play for different national sides. Harry has scored four goals from two outings for Australia, while John has three Scotland caps to his name.

Stoke sit 11th in the second-tier standings and have little chance of making the play-offs. Therefore another season in the Championship beckons for Souttar unless something happens this summer.

With three top-flight clubs linked there are likely to be offers. It seems as though he will have options but Stoke are under no obligation to sell.

However, with his contract set to expire next year, it may be time to cash in on the colossus.

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