Stoke City set to sign free agent ahead of Wrexham, Norwich City

Stoke City are set to beat Wrexham to the signing of Aaron Cresswell, according to reporter Alan Nixon.

Stoke City are in for an important summer transfer market as they look to make meaningful progress up the Championship table for the first time. SCFC have had a dismal seven years since their drop from the Premier League and had a close shave with relegation last season.

Mark Robins is out to put a stop to that trend, and the Potters would appear to be backing him in the transfer market.

Three new faces have come through the doors so far this summer, and it seems a fourth is on the cards.

Writing on his Patreon, reporter Alan Nixon has said that Stoke City have pounced to agree a deal with free agent veteran Aaron Cresswell. The 35-year-old was also eyed by Wrexham, but they have ‘dithered’ over offering him a deal, opening the door for SCFC to swoop in.

Various sources have since confirmed Cresswell is expected to join the Potters, though Stoke on Trent Live say a deal is not done yet.

TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has said he will sign on a one-year deal with an option to extend by a further 12 months. He also adds that Norwich City were interested in Cresswell too.

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A shrewd signing for Stoke City

There aren’t many free agents who can match the level of experience and pedigree that Cresswell will bring to Stoke City.

After first emerging as one to watch while on the books at Tranmere Rovers, he became a key player at Ipswich Town and ultimately earned a deserved move to West Ham in 2014. He stayed put for 11 years before his release this summer, and now looks set to head for the Bet365 Stadium.

With him, Cresswell brings nearing 600 games of senior experience. He has regularly served as a captain in the Premier League, playing 312 times in the division.

He will bring a bit of flexibility to Robins’ ranks too, as while he mainly plays at left-back, Cresswell can slot in on the left-hand side of a back three too.

Cresswell arrives as direct Enda Stevens replacement

After the experienced Enda Stevens left at the end of his contract, Stoke City have signed a very similar player to replace him.

Cresswell and Stevens are both vastly experienced full-backs who can slot into the back three if required, and both have Premier League and Championship pedigree to their names.

The inbound SCFC target has more Premier League games under his belt, and it will be hoped that makes him a solid source of competition for Eric Bocat. He can also serve as an exemplary, leading figure for some of the Potters’ top young prospects to learn from.