Stoke seeking a new level with aspirational transfer targets

“The kind of players you target are aspirational players, players who are about pushing the boundary even more, so you are in competition with good clubs.

“We don’t want to be bringing in players who have no other choices. Perhaps barring the top three, four or half-dozen clubs in Europe, we are now in the market for that next level of player.”

Having gained a strong reputation across Europe as a player, featuring for Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Welshman Hughes is a huge factor in Stoke’s new-found ability to attract star names, with previously promising Nou Camp forward Bojan Krkic just the start of a potential new era at Britannia, as he arrived last summer.

The Spaniard, who came through Barca’s globally high-regarded youth system La Masia, enjoyed a superb debut campaign before sustaining a season-ending injury, but the 24-year-old is expected to return to full fitness before next term kicks off.

As Stoke’s performances on the field continue to significantly banish any lasting memories of their previously bullish outlook, talented transfer targets are being linked heavily. This summer the club could excitingly see the arrival of Yevhen Konoplyanka, Sporting Lisbon right back Cedric Soares or even Chelsea’s Victor Moses, who spent last season on loan with the club.

In recent seasons, even being linked with such a crop of promising players was unthinkable, but under the guidance of Hughes, Stoke are gaining momentum with each passing campaign and will surely be realistically aiming for a European position next term (66/1 for top four finish).