EXCLUSIVE: Will Smallbone wanted by Premier League clubs

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 15 Jun 2023 20:37 BST
3 min read

Will Smallbone is being watched by Bournemouth and two other unnamed Premier League clubs with a view to a move this transfer window, FootballTransfers can reveal.

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The Southampton midfielder, who impressed last season for Stoke City on loan, has earned a string of interested parties for the summer, including Hull City and Sunderland in the Championship.

The 23-year-old has been in superb form for Ireland, being a key player in the nation’s 3-2 win over Latvia, impressing coaching staff and a whole host of English clubs, who are looking to snap him up from the relegated Soton.

And owing to his recent displays at international level, Premier League scouts are set to have eyes on Smallbone for Ireland’s upcoming Euro Qualifiers against Greece and then Gibraltar, sources have told us.

Smallbone, who finished third in the fans’ voting for player of the year for the Potters, is also wanted by Stoke who had him on loan the season prior.

The player came back last year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury and bounced back, establishing himself as a key player at Stoke last season.

Smallbone was one of the most high-performing players in the Championship last season, making eight goal contributions across the campaign.

🇮🇪| Will Smallbone on Evan Ferguson:

“He's a shining light for Irish football at the minute with how well he's doing. If we can get as many players as possible up to that level it will only benefit us”

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/CGL9ADBS1C
— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) June 8, 2023

In February, Stoke boss Alex Neil spoke of how dynamic Smallbone was, describing him as ‘unbelievable.’

“I think Will Smallbone, in my opinion, is a completely underrated player," Neil told Stoke-on-Trent Live at the time. "If you look at what Will brings to the team, his legs are to die for. He’s unbelievable in terms of the amount of ground he covers in a game. When he’s not there is when you recognise it the most.

“Will, generally, in any training session or any game, churns out the most distance compared to anyone on a regular basis. Also technically, I think his understanding of pressing and jumping and locking things on is excellent.”

Read more about: Premier League, B'mouth, Hull City, Southampton, Stoke City