Manager Michael O’Neill is said to be keen for Nottingham Forest-linked Sam Clucas to stay at Stoke City this summer.
The midfielder’s future is up in the air amid a “complicated contract situation” with the Potters.
Along with the Reds, Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall and West Bromwich Albion have been credited with an interest in Clucas.
It has been claimed he could be allowed to leave the bet365 Stadium on the back of what was a frustrating season - potentially as a free transfer.
And despite O’Neill’s hopes of hanging on to him, it seems he may yet head elsewhere.
StokeonTrentLive report Clucas is among those back for pre-season training, adding: “O'Neill has suggested there will be movement in the midfield department but hopes Clucas will stay, even if it is acknowledged that he may still leave.”
It is said a resolution is likely “in the coming days”, not least because of “the stipulation that a switch is done before he enters the final 12 months of his Stoke deal”.
The clock will tick down to that on July 1, leaving all parties short on time to come to a conclusion before then.
After netting 11 goals in 46 appearances in 2019/20, injury hampered the 30-year-old last time around. He had a double hernia operation in February and found the net just twice in 26 outings, including being limited to 18 league starts.
Clucas, signed by Gary Rowett for £6m from Swansea City, has made 100 appearances in all for Stoke, scoring 16 times.
He also counts Hull City, Chesterfield, Mansfield Town and Hereford United as his former clubs, having started out at Lincoln City.
O’Neill recently said: “It's been difficult for Sam. It's been a bit stop-start. He had a calf injury earlier in the season and then he had a hernia operation as well.
“But you could see what he's about (in a final day win at Bournemouth). He has fantastic energy, fantastic running power.
“I didn't think Sam could play on that right side in a midfield three, we've always played him on the left, but having played him there he's given us another dimension. He was excellent against Bournemouth.”
