According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Stoke City are one of many sides keeping tabs on attacker Nick Powell. The 24-year-old currently plays his football at fellow Championship outfit Wigan Athletic and has done so since 2016, in which time the Englishman has played a key part in helping them return to the second tier, at the same time inspiring them to a good start to life back in the Championship.

And Gary Rowett’s Stoke are one side reportedly keen on luring the 24-year-old away from the DW Stadium, and having tormented the Potters in Wigan’s 3-0 win in Staffordshire only last week, it’s clear that Stoke simply have to land the in-demand attacker in the last knockings of the window.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, while Rowett’s side didn’t help themselves with a below-par display against the Latics last week, former Manchester United man Powell produced an excellent performance to inspire Paul Cook’s men to all three points at the bet365 Stadium.

The 24-year-old grabbed two assists and continuously caused the Potters backline problems with his movement and overall attacking play, thus adding to the three goals and one assist he contributed in Wigan’s opening three games of the new Championship season.

As such, it’s clear that Powell has adapted seamlessly to the demands and rigours of the second tier, and on top of netting 15 times for the Latics in their League One title-winning campaign last term, it’s arguable that the attacker is playing the best football of his career.

And Stoke are one of many sides keen on the 24-year-old, and were he to reproduce the sort of performance that dismantled the Potters last week for the Staffordshire-based club on a regular basis, Rowett would have a very fine player in his ranks.

Much has been expected of Powell ever since he made the move to United back in 2012 after coming up through the ranks and impressing at Crewe, but in making just a handful of appearances for the Red Devils, alongside many a loan spell away from Old Trafford, it’s clear that things simply didn’t work out for the attacker at the Premier League giants.

Yet he has since underlined his immense talent and undoubted potential for Cook’s Wigan to first help them win promotion and then inspire them to two wins and a draw from their opening five Championship matches - ultimately, he is now beginning to deliver the goods on a consistent basis.

And in a Stoke side that only registered their first win of the season on Saturday, and saw the hugely influential Xherdan Shaqiri leave during the summer, they could do with someone of Powell’s ilk in their side as they seek an immediate return to the top-flight.

As such, with just a few days left of the loan window, Rowett must seek to win the race for the man that tormented his side at the bet365 Stadium under a week ago.

Stoke fans… what do you think? Let us know!