News from Turkey has linked a Süper Lig team with a potential move for a former Reading player. Reports suggest that the team is actively working on plans to acquire the player and has already engaged in discussions with the player’s representatives.
The 29-year-old currently plays for Stoke, with his contract set to expire next summer, opening up the possibility for Gaziantep to secure him on a pre-contract agreement after January 1, 2025, essentially allowing him to leave Stoke for free.
Having spent the last two seasons at Stoke and making 76 appearances while scoring eight goals, the player has attracted significant interest. Notably, there was interest from an Italian team last summer, as they tried to secure a €4 million loan-to-buy deal according to reports by Fabrizio Romano.
In addition to the potential transfer of the player to Turkey, there are also rumors of another midfielder, Lewis Baker, possibly leaving before the transfer window closes. The Stoke fan pundit, Liam Burks, shared thoughts on the situation, expressing a lack of surprise at the Turkish interest given the player’s previous attention from an Italian club.
Burks mentioned, “It wouldn’t surprise me if either Lewis Baker or Laurent were to leave. While one of them may stay, I don’t think both will. A reasonable price for Laurent could be a couple of million.”
He further commented on the player’s performance, highlighting inconsistencies in his game but acknowledging his positive influence in the team. Burks emphasized that the potential sale would be a profitable move for the club.
Many teams face the dilemma of what to do when one of their key players is out of contract in less than a year and there are interested clubs willing to pay. No specific price was mentioned in the Turkish reports, but it’s clear that Gaziantep would have to pay some fee to acquire Laurent.
In a generally disappointing season for the Potters, marked by a relegation scare and a pervasive sense of underachievement at the bet365 Stadium, the 29-year-old Laurent was one of the standout performers. Adding to Stoke’s challenges, the interest in Laurent is coming from overseas. If it were from another English club, Stoke would have two transfer windows to consider their options.
However, they must make a decision in this transfer window; otherwise, they risk losing Laurent for free. They might still choose to retain him until his contract expires, but it is crucial for them to decide on his future with the team promptly so they can take necessary actions before the deadline.