Premier League new boys have bid rejected for Stoke City wide-man: Transfer window update

The offer from the newly promoted Premier League side is said to sit well below the valuation that would tempt Stoke into selling. Thomas is 27 and has two years left on the three-year contract he signed after joining from Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2025.

Losing the Welshman would gut Stoke’s attack. Thomas started all of his 45 Championship appearances last season and played over 3900 league minutes for the Potters.

He scored 10 goals and registered 11 assists. Only Zan Vipotnik and Oli McBurnie registered more G/A than Thomas last season. He was Stoke’s leading scorer and creator in a season where Stoke finished in 17th. His quality in attacking areas is an invaluable asset to Mark Robins’ side.

Stoke’s position on the matter will be simple. They are not a club under pressure to sell; Thomas is under contract until 2028 and the Potters have room to work with in terms of SCMP thanks to healthy financial backing from the club’s owners and board.

The initial offer from Hull City was well below Stoke’s valuation of Thomas, but it is believed that talks are ongoing in hope of a deal being reached.

Hull have made a strong start to life in the Premier League, beating Manchester United 2-0 on the opening day. It is expected that the Tigers will return with an improved offer as they look to bolster their attack for the season ahead.

Derby County are reportedly interested in West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston.

The 27-year-old signed permanently at The Hawthorns in the summer of 2024 after an exhilarating loan spell from Celtic. He registered two goals and nine assists for the Baggies in the Championship last season.

Derby have already added Alex Mowatt to their ranks from West Brom and as the window draws to a close, could be looking to improve their options in wide areas.

Anis Mehmeti is also said to be a target for the Rams. The 25-year-old attacker only joined Ipswich from Bristol City in January, but following Ipswich’s promotion, he could become available. The Albanian finished last season with ten goals and seven assists across spells with two clubs. A move for Mehmeti could seriously bolster Derby’s attacking firepower.

Lincoln City have reportedly won the race for Manchester United attacker Ethan Wheatley, who will join the Imps on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old has already had three senior loans in the EFL. His first came in League Two with Walsall, before spells with Northampton and Bradford in League One. His January switch to Bradford City did not work out after starting the season well with Northampton Town. Lincoln City offer Wheatley his first shot at Championship football.

In League One, Leicester City are reportedly set to sign defender Ilari Kangasniemi from Finnish side FC Inter Turku for a fee of around £2.1m.

The 19-year-old centre-back joined Inter Turku from Inter Milan's academy in August 2025. A Finland youth international, Kangasniemi represented Inter in the UEFA Youth League and stands at six feet, six inches tall. The deal is believed to be a new Veikkausliiga record transfer fee.