Stoke City are set to launch a £6.5m bid to sign Ryan Woods from Brentford this week, as Gary Rowett looks to bolster his squad ahead of August’s transfer deadline.  

The window for permanent transfers is now closed, but EFL clubs are able to make loan signings between now and August 31.

According to the Telegraph, Stoke will launch a bid to sign Woods this week, with a view to taking the midfielder on loan, before making that deal permanent in January for £6.5m.

A bid for Woods, 24, is expected ahead of this week’s clash with Wigan Athletic.

During his time at Brentford, Woods has established himself as one of the Championship’s top central midfield players, making 122 leagues appearances and scoring three goals over the last three seasons.

After a summer of transfer speculation linked the ex-Shrewsbury man with a move to Swansea City, Dean Smith hasn’t included Woods in any of his Championship sides yet this season.

The midfielder’s only appearance of the season came in the Carabao Cup victory over Southend.

Stoke have identified Woods as a transfer target, after Rowett’s side endured a testing start to the season on their Championship return.

The Potters have picked up just two points from a possible nine.

The Verdict

Woods is an exceptional talent, who would improve Stoke’s squad.

In the last three years, the midfielder has proved how good he can be, and if Rowett gets him on board, it’ll feel a real coup for Stoke.

Stoke look set for one more big move in this transfer window, after a sloppy start to the season.

Will Woods make the move to Stoke? Let us know your thoughts!