The centre-back is a wanted man this summer

Stoke City are being linked with a bid for Poland and Jagiellonia Białystok centre-back Mateusz Skrzypczak.

The Polish press claim that Stoke, Widzew Lodz, Rapid Vienna and Skrzypczak’s first club Lech Poznan are all keen on the defender, who has won his first two senior international caps this year.

Skrzypczak is reported to have a release clause of about 900,000 euros.

Meczyki report: “Mateusz Skrzypczak has had a breakthrough season. As a Jagiellonia player, he was named defender of the year and was also called up to the national team.

“The 24-year-old could soon become the subject of an interesting transfer. This is facilitated by the relatively low release clause

“The stopper has already received an offer from Widzew, which is very attractive financially. However, the Łódź team must expect competition from Lech.

“We also cannot forget about the interest from foreign teams. According to our information, the leader of the “Pride of Podlasie” is on the radars of Stoke City and Rapid Vienna.”

Stoke are in the market for a centre-back after Ashley Phillips returned to Tottenham Hotspur following a season on loan and Michael Rose was released.

Former Sunderland utility player is one of four senior players released by Stoke City this summer

Lynden Gooch is taking time to consider his choices as he prepares for the end of his Stoke City contract.

The 29-year-old becomes a free agent at the end of this month following two seasons at the bet365 Stadium, having been signed by his former Sunderland boss Alex Neil late in the summer of 2023.

He made 31 starts under four different managers, playing at right-back, left-back, right wing, left wing and once as a number 10. He was affected by injuries but put in a big shift in his last game as Stoke secured an important final day draw at Derby County to secure their status in the Championship.

Four senior players have been released and Gooch, Michael Rose and Enda Stevens are now looking for a new hope for the next chapters of their careers. Jordan Thompson has already joined Preston North End.

“I’m not too sure at the minute,” Gooch told the Sunderland Echo.

“Obviously I am out of contract and I am just weighing up my options and seeing what comes my way. I just want to enjoy spending time with the family, with the kids, and then hopefully something can get sorted in the next few weeks or whenever it is.

“I’m just trying to be patient, weighing up as many things as I can and seeing what can suit me and my family before any decision is made.”

Stoke return for pre-season training on June 26 although some of their rivals in the Championship start back the following week.

Fixtures are also released on June 26 and the new season will get underway on the weekend of August 9.

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