Ciaran Clark has been in contact with Stoke City over a possible free transfer move, but those conversations are faltering.
Stoke City needed a different alternative for the center of their defense, and they had their eyes on former Newcastle United and Aston Villa player Clark. But after a few weeks with no apparent advancement, Alan Nixon announced on his Patreon that the talks are breaking down over personal issues.
However, the Potters’ need for a new central defender hasn’t diminished, so it could be a good idea to start looking at other options. Here are three things Stoke City should think about:
Michael Ayala
Ayala is a center-back with extensive Premier League and Championship experience who, like Clark, is currently unemployed. He last appeared for Blackburn Rovers after playing 272 times in the second tier.
The 32-year-old has leadership potential and is a seasoned player for Stoke. Despite his previous injury issues, Ayala might turn out to be a wise addition for Alex Neil as extra body at the back.
Toure, Almamy
Almamy Toure may be a wise addition if the Potters decided to go a little farther afield. The 27-year-old Mali international has high-level experience from stints with AS Monaco and Eintracht Frankfurt, but he is now without a team.
Toure can play as a right or center defender. Because of his flexibility and history playing in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, Neil might be a big success in Staffordshire.
Simpson, Jack
Last but not least, if Stoke City prefers a player with a domestic base, Jack Simpson is another player worth considering. He had a preseason and only missed a short amount of match practice because he left Cardiff City at the end of August.
That might make him a better choice because he shouldn’t take too long to catch up. He would make a reliable backup option at the age of 26, where he can still contribute well at the Championship level.
