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Exclusive: Standard Liège Lead Three-Club Chase for Stoke Left-Back Eric Bocat

Standard Liege are preparing an improved offer for Stoke City's Eric Bocat, after their initial loan deal was rejected. The Belgian club is set to submit a second proposal with the fee increased to around €2million. Stoke is reluctant to sell the left-back, who is currently injured, as they aim for a Premier League return.

2 minutes read
Shane MacDermott
S. MacDermott
Sports Writer
Louis Hobbs
Sports Editor

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Standard Liege are preparing an improved offer for Stoke City’s Eric Bocat, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Earlier this month, the Potters turned down a loan deal from the Belgium club for the left-back.

It was a loan with an option to buy for €1.5million, which was rejected straight off the bat by the Championship club.

But our sources have been told the Belgian Pro League outfit are undeterred and are on the verge of submitting a second proposal, with the fee upped to around the €2million mark. 

Sources in the Potteries say the figure will not tempt Stoke to part with the full-back.

The 26-year-old is currently out injured as Stoke boss Mark Robins endures an injury crisis in the potion with first-choice Aaron Cresswell also sidelined alongside stand-in Ben Gibson.

But that has not stopped interest in Bocat, who is expected to return shortly, intensifying in recent days. 

There has been two separate approaches, one from an unnamed German side, whilst Championship clubs have enquired over Stoke’s readiness to sell. 

It is our understanding Robins wants to keep the player in the building, at least until the end of the season asa he tries to plot their long-awaited Premier League return this term.

Proven in Belgium

The Frenchman moved to Stoke in 2024 for around £2million including add-ons and has made 40 Championship appearances for the club.

Primarily a starter during his first season at the club, Bocat has made just ten Championship appearances so far this season leading to teams trying to prise him away from the club.

He has impressed in Belgium before during spells at Mouscron and Sint-Truiden which has lead to Liege’s interest.

Towards the end of last year, Stoke were also linked with a sensational loan return for Sheffield United striker Tom Cannon, but the Republic of Ireland international’s form has picked up in recent weeks, with Chris Wilder keen to keep him, not least after Cannon scored against the Potters in December.

Shane MacDermott
Shane MacDermottSports Writer

Shane is a seasoned sports journalist and one of the most recognisable voices in the snooker pressroom. From Ronnie O’Sullivan to Zhao Xintong, he has sat down with the sport’s biggest names and broken hundreds of front-page national stories.

Alongside his work for SportsBoom, Shane regularly freelances for national outlets including the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star.

While cricket is Shane’s true passion, particularly Test cricket, he keeps it largely separate from his professional work. But don’t expect him to be sold on The Hundred as the future of the game.

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