'In a heartbeat' - Stoke City reunion rumour sparks transfer debate

Harry Souttar has been linked with a return to Stoke City, more than three years after he left the bet365 Stadium.

Souttar, who was sold to Leicester City for £15million in January 2023, signed for Stoke as a 17-year-old and went on to reach the first team.

Indeed he played 70 times for the Potters but found his Foxes career interrupted by an Achilles injury while on loan with Sheffield United.

He returned after 16 months out in April 2026 and played a part in Australia’s World Cup campaign where played every minute of their run to the Last 32. He has two years left on his Leicester contract.

Now Brazilian journalist Pablo Oliveira claims on social media platform X, where he has over 30k followers: “The 27-year-old defender Harry Souttar is set to leave the club before the team’s trip for the pre-season in Spain. Stoke City, Sheffield United and Wrexham are the main clubs emerging as possible destinations for the Australian player.”

The claim has sparked debate among Stoke fans who reacted on our dedicated Stoke City Facebook page. Here’s a taste of the discussion.

Chris Rowley: He played well in WC for Oz could do worse if we are unable to get Ash back Could always play him upfront

Nev Jotto Johnson: Take him back in a heartbeat

Gareth Beech: No thanks

Carlo Balzer: Yes sign him up now

Gareth Reece: I would take him back

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Phillip Moore: He was good when he was here sign him up

Nick Pye: I seriously hope not. He’s way too slow

Jamie Bennett: Need go for phillips who's miles better

Pauline Olive: Would be good to see him back

Barry Clunn: Always injured these days

As things stand Mark Robins has new signing Luke Graham, Ben Wilmot, Bosun Lawal, Ben Gibson and Maksym Talovierov as options at the back, while Ashley Phillips has spent the last two seasons on loan from Tottenham and was nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Season award last term.

Brian Dick (Reach Football Correspondent): Souttar's sheer physical stature, return to first team football and his decent performances for Australia at the World Cup represents a tempting cocktail for potential suitors willing to hope he has overcome his injury problem.

However, it is equally tempting in Stoke case to wonder whether Souttar's time with the Potters has come and gone. After last season's injury issues, which so undermined Robins' work, they could be forgiven for playing it safe on the fitness front.

Souttar might go on to played 40-odd games for whichever club he's at, but similarly Stoke might feel they both want to move on and risk letting someone else find out if that does indeed happen.

The transfer window is open, the rumours are flying, and everyone is talking about who Stoke City will sign and who they might sell.

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