Sources: Stoke City set to hijack PAOK move for Celtic winger Sead Haksabanovic as Chiquinho returns to Wolves

TEAMtalk understands Stoke City are poised to land Celtic winger Sead Haksabanovic after sending Chiquinho back to Wolverhampton Wanderers, as Alex Neil looks to complete yet more transfer business before Friday’s deadline.

Stoke confirmed Bae Junho as their 15th signing of a remarkable summer on Thursday, but Neil is still hoping to be among the busier managers on Friday with reinforcements at centre-back, full-back and up front on his checklist.

However, a spot for another winger has opened up after Chiquinho’s loan was cut short amid reports of a falling out, with the Potters quickly utilising the freed-up loan place by moving for Haksabanovic.

The Montenegro winger has fallen further down the pecking order at Parkhead following Celtic’s signing of Luis Palma, a player Stoke had also tracked, and the 24-year-old hinted over the weekend that an exit looked likely, posting on Instagram: “If they don’t see your value maybe you’re not in the right place.”

It has been reported he was set to sign for PAOK in Greece, but TEAMtalk understands he is on his way to Stoke on loan for the season instead. 

Haksabanovic was signed by Ange Postecoglou from Rubin Kazan in 2022 and scored five goals in 40 appearances in his debut season in Scotland, including six in the Champions League. But he has made only substitute appearances for the Hoops this season and now returns to England, where he previously spent time with West Ham having joined as an 18-year-old from Halmstads.

He never appeared for the Hammers in the league, however, and moved to IFK Norrkoping in 2019. He will now hope to find a home in the Championship.