Stoke City are being urged to cash in on South Korean winger Bae Jun-ho, with reports from his homeland revealing his agent is now in England to begin transfer talks ahead of a likely summer departure.
Bae Jun-ho joined Stoke City from Daejon Hana Citizen in August 2023 for around £2 million. Initially an unknown figure, he quickly earned a starting role on the left wing, despite early challenges adapting to English football. His form improved dramatically in the second half of the season, ultimately earning him Stoke’s Player of the Year award in his debut campaign.
However, the 21-year-old’s second season was less impactful. Managerial instability and frequent positional changes, including spells on the right wing, affected his consistency. Despite this, Jun-ho managed three goals and five assists in 45 Championship appearances and remained a key squad figure during Stoke’s battle for survival.
Recent reports from South Korea suggest Jun-ho’s agent is now in England to begin transfer talks, likely signaling a summer exit. With interest from both domestic and international clubs, Stoke City fans and pundits are divided over whether the club should hold onto the promising winger or cash in while his value remains high.
Fan pundit Sam Harrison believes selling Jun-ho might be the right move financially. While praising his technical ability and potential, Harrison emphasized that Stoke needs to balance the books and reinvest in the squad. Including a sell-on clause, he suggests, could further benefit the club long-term.
Jun-ho’s flashes of brilliance continue to attract interest from clubs in the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Eredivisie. Given Stoke’s current financial needs and their ambitions under new boss Mark Robins, letting Jun-ho go could be a strategic choice to strengthen the team elsewhere.
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