Stoke City may speed up the departure of a 26-year-old player from Manchester United.

Stoke City is on the verge of an exciting turnaround that could shape the future of the club and its stars. With the possibility of securing the signing of young prodigy Harry Amass from Manchester United, the future of Eric Bocat in the team seems increasingly uncertain. Recent news concerning the French player suggests a potential move to Belgium, a transfer that could mark the end of his adventure in Staffordshire.

The 2025/26 EFL Championship season started promisingly for Stoke City, who secured four victories in their first five games, propelling themselves to the top of the table. However, the situation changed drastically, with the team suffering a sharp decline, managing only two wins in ten matches. This slip has seen the Potters drop out of the playoff zone, where they spent much of the season. Recently, following consecutive away victories against Hull City and Norwich City, the team appears to have regained some momentum, keeping alive the hope among fans that a top-six finish is still possible.

With the January transfer window rapidly approaching, Stoke City is under pressure to strengthen the squad, particularly in the most critical positions. Injuries to key players such as Aaron Cresswell, Eric Bocat, and Ben Gibson, along with Junior Tchamadeu’s call-up for AFCON, have left the team with limited options in defense. In this context, Harry Amass has emerged as a potential solution. The young defender, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, has caught the attention of Mark Robins and the club’s decision-makers.

Robins’ statements highlight the importance of bringing Amass to the club: “We are looking for options that can bring new dynamics to our game. Amass, with his youth and talent, represents exactly what we need.” If the transfer goes through, Bocat’s position in the team becomes highly questionable. The Frenchman, who has been overlooked in favor of Cresswell, has seen his playing time reduced to just ten appearances in the league, and his absence from the team since the 2-1 victory over Swansea City has not helped to solidify his position.

Since his transfer from Sint-Truiden in the summer of 2024, Bocat has already been linked with a return to Belgium, with Standard Liège expressing interest in the 26-year-old player. Although no agreement was reached in the last transfer window, recent reports indicate that Liège continues to see him as a priority, a clear sign that his time at Stoke may be coming to an end.

Harry Amass, at just 18 years old, has been one of the few bright spots in the bleak landscape of Sheffield Wednesday, which currently occupies the bottom position in the table. The defender has been named Player of the Month for two consecutive months, standing out in a struggling team. With his loan at Hillsborough set to end following a defeat against Queens Park Rangers, Amass’s future looks promising, and a transfer to Stoke City could be a pivotal step in his rising career.

If Amass joins the Potters, he will bring a vibrant and energetic playing style that contrasts with Cresswell’s more conservative approach. The age difference between the two players is significant, and Amass promises to inject new vitality into the left flank, something the team desperately needs. With the transfer window set to open, Stoke City fans are eagerly awaiting the club’s moves and the possibility of a brighter future.