Stoke City are facing a challenge to retain key player Wouter Burger, with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly interested in acquiring the midfielder before the transfer window closes.

Burger, who was signed from FC Basel last August for around £4.3 million, had an impressive debut season with the Potters, attracting the attention of several clubs. In May, TEAMtalk reported that Stoke would need to fend off interest from Spurs, Sheffield United, and two unnamed Premier League clubs. Journalist Fraser Gillan recently noted that while Spurs are keen on the Dutchman, no deal is currently in place, and Burger remains a Stoke player for now.

Stoke City do not need to rush into selling Burger, as he has three years remaining on his contract. A fee of around £12 million is reportedly sufficient to secure his transfer, but the club is under no pressure to sell.

Stoke City Urged to Resist Tottenham Bids for Wouter Burger

Although a deal for Burger is not imminent, the transfer saga could extend until the end of the summer window. Football League World’s Stoke fan pundit Sam Harrison believes losing Burger would significantly impact the Potters’ aspirations for the new season but is confident that he will stay for the 2024/25 campaign.

“I think he’s going to stay,” Sam told FLW. “Under Schumacher, he’s shown us how good he is. Last season, he was one of our top players, a key asset in midfield both on and off the ball. He played in the number six role last season, but he’s been more advanced in pre-season, and it’s worked well. He’s crucial to Schumacher’s side, performing consistently week-in, week-out.

“He added an attacking dimension to his game, passing through lines and getting us moving, while also handling the defensive duties. He’s the type to make a tackle in the first minute to energize the fans, a player we haven’t had recently.

“He’s a fantastic player, and losing him would be a huge blow. But if we do lose him, it should be for a substantial amount, especially with big teams like Spurs interested.”

Stoke City Must Keep Hold of Wouter Burger at All Costs

Burger, who played European football with Basel and has represented the Netherlands at various youth levels, was seen as a major coup for Stoke. His impact has been significant, contributing four goals and four assists in 41 games last season under both Alex Neil and current head coach Schumacher.

Schumacher has been adamant about keeping Burger and teammate Bae Jun-ho, who has been linked with Feyenoord, stating that no official bids have been made. “Speculation shows our players are doing well, but there’s been no bids for either of them,” he told StokeOnTrentLive.

“Absolutely, they are a big part of my plans. We want to build our team around our best players, not lose them. Wouter has returned in excellent condition for pre-season and looks sharp.”

While Stoke would prefer to retain Burger, a potential move to Spurs would be understandable given the opportunity to play at a higher level. However, Stoke are not in a desperate financial position and can wait for a worthy bid, suggesting that fans can remain hopeful about Burger’s future at the club.