Stoke City are reportedly considering a move for 23-year-old defender Prosper Mendy from Norweigan side Stromsgodset.
Michael O'Neill is 10 days into his first transfer window as boss at the Bet365 Stadium, having taken charge of the club in November.
It appears he is keen on strengthening his backline, as French news outlet Foot Mercado (via the Stoke Sentinel) has reported that the Potters are interested in signing Mendy.
A left-back by trade, the Frenchman has made 14 appearances in the Eliteserien this season.
The 23-year-old is understood to have a £400k release clause in his contract, which could make this a particularly shrewd move for the Potters.
But do Stoke need Mendy and would he be a good signing?
We discuss...
Luke Phelps
“Little is known about Mendy. This season he’s been starring for Norwegian club Stromsgodset, who are currently 11th out of 16 in the Eliteserien and only three points above the drop zone. Mendy though is thought to have been a saving grace for Stromsgodset, enough so for Stoke to show an interest anyway.
“He’s a left-back by trade but can also feature at centre-back and in the centre of midfield. He’s a physical player too, standing over 6 feet in height and with bags of pace and power–you feel, he wouldn’t take much time in adjusting to the demands of the English second-tier.
“But do Stoke need him? Extra numbers will never hurt any side, but clubs like Stoke who’ve spent and wasted a lot of money in the last few seasons need to be much more careful with their spending now. Having said that, Stoke are one of the higher-scoring teams around the bottom of the table and if a signing were to be made this month, it should be a defensive one.
“I think it’d be a good signing for Stoke–Mendy is only 23-years-old and looks like he could really adapt to the Championship. It would certainly fit the bill at Stoke too, but is a defender from an 11th-placed side in Norway going to solve their problems?”
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Jacob Potter
"I’m not convinced that they need another left-back, to be honest.
“Stoke already have Martins Indi and Ward in their squad, and the pair are more than capable of playing to a high standard in the Championship this season.
“As we all know, Stoke haven’t been good enough this season and results simply have to improve in the near future to pull them clear of the relegation zone.
“I don’t think Mendy is needed in this month’s transfer window and their money could be better spent in other areas of the squad.
“Unless Martins Indi was to depart this would be a poor move for all parties involved, as I just couldn’t see him being a regular starter in the Championship.”
Ethan van Ristell
"Stoke would be taking a gamble on the 23-year-old, with the Norwegian Eliteserien not exactly being as prestigious as other European leagues.
"As the Norwegian football season ended in November and does not resume until March, it is likely that the Frenchman would not be up to the fitness level required straight away, which would add an extra challenge for Stoke if they were to go in for him.
"However, the Potters are definitely in need of a left-back, with 34-year-old Ward and natural centre-half Martins Indi turning out for them in the position so far this season.