Agreement verified: Stoke City just reached a $108 Million signing agreement.

It was another bitterly disappointing campaign last year for Neil’s side, who have yet to finish in the top half of the division since their return to the Championship. This season hadn’t started much better, leading to his sacking, with the Potters very much in a battle to stay up at the time of Schumacher’s appointment.

They have worked hard to rebuild and go again this season and were hopeful that new players like Wouter Burger, Ryan Mmaee, and Andre Vidigal could help fire them to a much improved season than last term.

However, it’s been made more difficult for them, with Stoke also selling and releasing a number of key players from their side last season, which has perhaps had a larger impact on the side than first imagined.

The club will lose more players next year as well, with January the time when players can opt to enter discussions with foreign clubs about a summer move. The rules stipulate that players must be over the age of 23, or the club releasing them are entitled to compensation for players aged 22 and under.

Therefore, players such as D’Margio Wright-Phillips and Blondy Nna Noukeu are not eligible here, being under the threshold age for out of contract players.

Now, with the January window about to open, here, we take a look at those that are out of contract in 2024 who Stoke could be set to lose in January if they sign a pre-contract agreement.

Wesley Moraes

Moraes has been with Stoke since joining the club on a one-year contract last summer, signing from Aston Villa, where he was unable to make much of an impression during a four-year spell at Villa Park.

The Brazilian made an initial positive start to life at Stoke, but has since struggled in front of goal, and a decision will need to be made over his future soon.

Tyrese Campbell

Campbell has been a key figure for Stoke in recent seasons, and is one of few academy graduates taking a role in the first-team squad.

However, the forward’s contract expires this summer, with no option to trigger a 12-month extension. He turns 24 this month and it remains to be seen if he will be with the Potters beyond this summer.

Jordan Thompson

The Northern Irishman is in his fifth season with Stoke, having joined the club from Blackpool in 2020. The 26-year-old has been an important part of the squad under Neil.

However, they risk losing him for nothing in the summer if no contract agreement is reached before then. Schumacher will likely want to assess Thompson in the coming weeks.

Enda Stevens

Stevens is in his first campaign with the club after signing from Sheffield United last summer. The Irishman boasts plenty of experience, having competed in the Premier League with the Blades.

The 33-year-old could end up just spending the one year with the team, if no extension is agreed before the end of the season, or if he looks to find a new challenge in January.

Dwight Gayle

Gayle signed for the team in the summer of 2022, enduring an underwhelming first year at the club.

The striker has fallen down the pecking order in recent times, and could find himself looking for a new club in 2024.

Ciaran Clark

Like Gayle, Clark arrived to Stoke via Newcastle United, signing a contract until the end of the season in October.

The veteran defender has seldom featured since, and is likely to depart upon the expiry of his contract in the summer.