Stoke City’s purchase of Kevin Wimmer has the potential to go down as one of the club’s worst ever deals.
Given it came not long after the loan signing of Jese Rodriguez was heralded to a farcical degree, despite the player’s then level and problems, the period is not one which covers the club in glory.
Tottenham, who had signed Wimmer for less than £5m, somehow managed to make more than three times their money when the defender moved to Stoke for a reported £18m.
It didn’t go well, Stoke were relegated, and the Austrian was sent on loan to Hannover 96 in the summer for a fee of €1.5m.
The Championship club may well have been boosted by Hannover agreeing to a buying clause of €12m, but this could have been €40m for the likelihood of it being used.
Kicker call it a ‘utopian transfer fee’, and that’s even if Wimmer had been doing well for the club. He’s not.
Only six Bundesliga starts so far this season tell one story, and Kicker back that up by saying his average rating has been poor.
The German source also report a ‘controversial clause’ in the deal, which would see the deal made permanent (presumably for the €12m) if Wimmer makes 24 competitive appearances.
That will be avoided, he’s on 11 so far.
A transfer isn’t completely ruled out, but Wimmer would have to improve, accept a drop in wages long term, and Stoke drop the price.
