Stoke City are set to capture midfielder Ryan Woods from Brentford for a fee of £6.5m, with the player currently in Stoke for a medical according to journalist John Percy.

Percy confirmed a fee has been agreed between the Bees and the Potters, thought to be £6.5m, and he's now at the bet365 Stadium for a medical. The deal should be done in time for the fixtures this weekend.

The switch will be an initial loan, with the move becoming permanent when the transfer window opens in January.

Woods came through the ranks at Shrewsbury Town before securing a £1m move to Griffin Park in 2015. He's gone on to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the second-tier, driving the Bees on to become genuine play-off contenders.

He's made 123 Championship appearances in his three seasons in West London, scoring three times. The 24-year old was dubbed 'the Ginger Pirlo' by supporters at the New Meadow for his range of passing and all-action midfield displays.

Stoke have moved after an appalling start to the season has seen them pick up just a solitary point, culminating in a 3-0 home defeat against Wigan in midweek.

The Verdict

Brentford have soaked this one up quite nicely, they've had Woods on the bench despite his obvious talent and are already prepared for life without him.

The move makes a mockery of the transfer window, this is a permanent transfer however the two clubs try to dress it up. Deals such as this will surely prompt a rethink from the EFL's top brass.