Update on Stoke City striker’s future amid rumoured £2.5m valuation, EFL exit claims
Stoke City deem Nathan Lowe sale talk wide of the mark amid growing claims of EFL interest, Stoke on Trent Live has said.
Stoke City academy graduate Nathan Lowe saw his stock skyrocket over the 2024/25 campaign. The young striker flourished on loan away from SCFC with Walsall, announcing himself on the senior stage after an impressive youth career.
The 19-year-old notched 18 goals and seven assists in 30 games for the Saddlers and there was excitement over what he could do when recalled by the Potters in January.
However, after scoring on his first game back, minutes dried up. That turn has prompted interest from elsewhere, with reports most recently claiming that Huddersfield Town are getting close to meeting the Championship club’s £2.5m valuation of Lowe.
Now though, Stoke on Trent Live reports that Stoke City deem claims of a Lowe sale wide of the mark.
SCFC have some FFP concerns and every player has a price tag, but there is no interest in selling a top prospect and big future asset like Lowe. Another loan move is possible after his Walsall success though, and having starred in League Two, League One seems a probable destination for the youngster.
A loan best for Lowe
Interested clubs may hope they can have something to say about tempting Stoke City into selling Lowe this summer. However, from the Potters’ perspective, a loan deal will certainly be for the best.
Still only 19, Lowe is very much in the formative years of his career and the next steps of his development need to be managed carefully.
He starred at Walsall but the call to bring him back proved a little too early for him to make an impact at the Bet365 Stadium. A new loan, perhaps at League One level, marks progress on his standing at the start of last season but will help manage expectations as he looks to step up to the SCFC first-team in the future.
The challenge for Stoke City
Lowe’s situation puts pressure on the Potters in more ways than one.
They hope to stand firm despite a need for a bit of income from a player sale, so it could be that another Stoke City asset is cashed in on.
With regard to Lowe though, the club have to get this decision right. The call to bring him back from Walsall ended up being not so beneficial for the striker, while it completely derailed the Saddlers’ promotion charge.
The latter will not be so much of a concern for the Championship side, but after making one misstep with Lowe’s development last season, their decision making must be spot on this time around.
