Stoke City line up summer transfer swoop for target tracked in 2024/25 | OneFootball

Stoke City are monitoring Chester City defender Harrison Burke ahead of the summer window.

Stoke City are monitoring Chester City centre-back Harrison Burke ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has been impressing for the National League North side this season, with Chester sitting third as they look to return to the fifth tier of English football.

As well as his strong displays at the back, Burke has been a real goal threat for the team, as he has incredibly chipped in with ten goals.

Stoke City interested in Chester City’s Harrison Burke

Therefore, it’s perhaps no surprise that Burke is attracting admirers from higher up the football pyramid, and Football Insider has revealed that Stoke are considering a summer move for the player.

They claim that the Potters have a ‘strong interest’ in the defender, who they have been ‘closely watching’ this season.

It’s not clear what sort of fee would be required to do a deal, although it’s unlikely to be a stumbling block for Stoke if they do firm up their interest when the window opens.

Stoke City need another summer overhaul

Once again, this has been a hugely frustrating season for Stoke, and they still have a lot of work to do to ensure they stay in the league.

But, providing they manage that, there are reasons for optimism under Mark Robins, as there have been some improved performances recently, whilst his record at Coventry offers plenty of encouragement.

Nevertheless, as is often the case, recruitment will be crucial, and it’s something that Stoke have got wrong time and time again in the past.

You can’t imagine the prospect of signing a player from Chester City is going to excite fans too much, but Burke could be the sort of profile that the Potters need in the sense that he is young, with a point to prove, and would love to pull on the Stoke shirt.

Obviously, it’s a massive step up to the Championship, but there are talented players in the National League, and it’s about giving them a platform to improve.

So, this would be a low-risk move if Stoke pursue Burke, and most would agree that they need to strengthen both the quality and depth in central defence next season.

A big summer potentially awaits for Robins and Stoke, and attention will quickly turn to that once they have secured their Championship status.