2. Martin Olsson (Blackburn)
Valuation- 4 Million Stoke need a left back. Pure and simple. Marc Wilson has had a rough time of it at Stoke, forced to play in a position to which hes not accustomed. Now is the time however to bring in someone who actually plays that position, instead of forcing Wilson, Huth or Shotton into unfamiliar territory. Martin Olsson would therefore be a perfect addition to the Stoke team, slotting straight in and filling a very precarious hole. The major stumbling block would be that Stoke arent the only team in desperate need of a left sided defender, and with Blackburns relegation and a solid performance for Sweden in Euro 2012, Olsson will arguably be one of this windows most in sought after players.
3. Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest)
Valuation- 3 Million Another position Stoke could do with filling is right back. Andy Wilkinson is Stoke City F.C personified one of few locals in the squad, however much I like him and his effort, it pains me to suggest that he just isnt cut out for this level anymore. I hope that Tony keeps him on as a backup, but I would be disappointed to see him as anything more than that. Ryan Shotton is another who has been called on to play right back, having had a decent season I could see Pulis giving Shotters a season to cement the position as his own. Personally Im not convinced and would take this opportunity to bring in someone new. The first of my two suggestions to fill Wilkos shoes is Chris Gunter. One of few to impress during a disappointing season for Notts Forrest, Gunter seems destined for the Premier League. With question marks over the Forrests financial stability, it would seem that all that is remaining for the right bid, with Forrest reported to have rejected a 2 million bid from newly promoted Reading. One things for sure, at 22 the Wales international would be a bargain for Reading, Swansea, Stoke or any Premier League side astute enough to go for him.