Stoke City is preparing for a major overhaul in its midfield department following the agreement to transfer Tatsuki Seko to a J1 League club. The 28-year-old midfielder has been left out of Stoke's squad for their upcoming Carabao Cup first-round match against Oldham Athletic at the bet365 Stadium, indicating his imminent departure from the club.
Seko joined Stoke City two years ago from Kawasaki Frontale and made 75 appearances for the team. It is believed that Stoke will sanction his exit for a similar fee to the one he came in on. The move comes as part of a broader restructuring of the midfield, with three new signings already brought in this summer.
Ethan Galbraith from Swansea, Djibril Soumare from Braga, and Svante Ingelsson from Sheffield Wednesday have all joined the club in central midfield roles. Meanwhile, Lewis Baker and Steven Nzonzi were released at the end of their contracts as they slipped down the pecking order.
The future of Ben Pearson remains uncertain, but it would not be a surprise if Stoke brought in another midfielder before the transfer window closes. Mark Robins has already handed debuts to Galbraith and Ingelsson against Oldham, along with defender Luke Graham.
The current squad for today's match includes: Johansson, Wilmot, Bocat, Lawal, Graham, Ingelsson, Galbraith, Thomas, Manhoef, Gallagher, Cisse. Substitutes are Griffiths, Talovierov, Gibson, Pearson, Soumare, Rigo, Junho, Smit, Bozenik.
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