Stoke City transfer news as Luke Cundle stance remains unchanged.
Luke Cundle remains stuck in the stands at Wolves for at least half-a-season despite his impressive end to last term at Stoke.
Luke Cundle seems stuck in limbo for at least half-a-season despite putting himself firmly into the shop window out on loan under Steven Schumacher last year.
The 22-year-old midfielder made 43 appearances between Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City in 2023/24, scoring six times, setting up another seven and seeming to take a big step in his career.
He went back to Wolves for pre-season but his parent club’s £4 million price tag was a quick conversation ender for any Championship suitor who called to check his availability, including Stoke. So he stayed put as others out of the picture moved on, including Ki-Jana Hoever, who has joined Auxerre on loan, and Chiquinho, who has gone to Mallorca.
But the bottom line that stopped Stoke pursuing a deal towards the deadline was that the midfield department was full, even after the late summer exits of Josh Laurent (Burnley), Lewis Baker (Blackburn) and Daniel Johnson (released).
Steven Schumacher has Wouter Burger, Andrew Moran, Sol Sidibe, Bosun Lawal, Tatsuki Seko, Jordan Thompson and Ben Pearson to choose from when everyone is fit, as well as Will Smith, who made his debut in the cup at Middlesbrough a fortnight ago.
There has been talk this week that Stoke will go back in for Cundle in January but, as it stands, nothing has changed and it’s not on the agenda. The plan is to develop 23-year-old Burger, 17-year-old Sidibe, 21-year-old Lawal and 18-year-old Smith, benefit from a year of highly-rated Moran, and let 26-year-old Seko settle in England.
Stoke have emphasised again and again about the need to keep a handle on squad size – that’s partly why they changed to a head coach/sporting director model last season, to maintain a long-term view on that side of things, even when there is hope and expectation that Schumacher will be around for a long time himself.
Cundle is under contract at Wolves until 2026. He last got on the pitch for them in May 2022 against Man City and, for now, is trying his best to force his way into their plans. He hasn’t featured in the squad yet for the opening three Premier League games of the season nor in the Carabao Cup against his old club Burnley.
What Gary O’Neill has said about Cundle
The Wolves boss told the Express & Star late in August: “He’s done well in pre-season. I’ve spoken to him about his individual situation and the fact I was impressed by how well he did.
“His situation could still go either way, to be honest. I spoke to him about the decision that he has to make, because he understands the midfielders that we have at the football club and that there may be some patience and it may be difficult for him.”
