Stoke City may regret rejecting £5m bid for forward who has struggled for game time this season: Opinion

Writer Charlie Hodgson argues that Stoke City might regret rejecting a £5m summer bid from MLS club Colorado Rapids for Million Manhoef. Stoke had turned down the offer to preserve attacking depth after selling Sorba Thomas to Hull City in a deal worth up to £10.5m. However, Manhoef has struggled for regular playing time this season, recording just 173 Championship minutes across four appearances without registering a goal contribution.

Hodgson notes that manager Mark Robins shifted to a back-three system with wing-backs, leaving the 24-year-old winger without an obvious tactical fit. With Stoke performing well and holding 16 points from 10 games, Hodgson suggests the Potters risk weakening their negotiating position if future suitors try to acquire Manhoef for a lower fee.