Stoke City’s season ended with a 2-0 defeat away to Bristol City, with one of their key players throwing a disturbing hint about their future at the club shortly after the setback.

Stoke finished 17th, despite having more time in the top two than the Potters throughout the season.

It’s been a pretty astonishing drop-off from Mark Robins’ team, which sprang into life at the start of the season and appeared to be on track for a top-six finish. However, only Sheffield Wednesday have scored fewer points in the last 30 games than Stoke, despite the fact that the team has been in relegation trouble for the majority of the year.

It’s going to be another busy summer rebuild at the bet365 Stadium, where they’ll be hoping to end their decade-long wait for a top-half finish next season, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty around the place, with one of their star players dropping a worrying hint about his future with the club.

Sorba Thomas could leave Stoke City this summer amid a recent transfer rumour.

Sorba Thomas joined Stoke from League One Huddersfield Town in the summer for about £1.5 million and has been widely regarded as the club’s best performer this season.

The Welsh international had previously demonstrated his talent with the Terriers in the second division, and a loan move to France with Nantes was unsuccessful, but the 27-year-old has pushed his game to the next level this time around.

Despite missing only one league game due to a red card, Thomas scored 10 goals and assisted 11 in the Championship this season, trailing only Swansea City’s Zan Vipotnik and Hull City’s Oli McBurnie in total goal contributions.

His talents on the left flank apparently drew interest from Bournemouth as recently as January, following the departure of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, while Everton have also been linked with the Welshman in recent months.

Even lately, Premier League-bound Coventry City has been linked with a transfer for the 27-year-old, and after Stoke’s defeat to Bristol City, Thomas failed to persuade Potters fans of his devotion to the club.

When asked if he would still be in the Potteries after the summer, Thomas chuckled and replied, “No comment, no comment.”

While the Barking-born Welsh international has not declared a wish to leave, at least not yet, his lack of a firm response about his future has undoubtedly concerned Stoke fans.

At 27, time is running out for Thomas to make the switch to the Premier League, and it’s tough to argue that he hasn’t earned his spot in England’s top tier, with this summer virtually definitely providing him with his best chance of making the move.

Whether the Potters receive any bids, and how much they will seek for a player they paid a measly £1.5 million for just a year ago, remains to be seen, but interest in the winger is expected to be high.

Mark Robins will be unhappy to see Sorba Thomas leave Stoke City, but is unlikely to veto him a Premier League move.

Since taking over as Stoke manager in January 2025, Robins has had a tumultuous tenure.

He would help keep the Potters afloat after joining the club in the midst of a relegation struggle, and following a promising summer window and an impressive start to the season, morale was high.

But now, tensions are high, and worries about Robins’ ability to lead the team forward are echoed throughout the supporters.

Indeed, Robins is Stoke City’s seventh permanent manager since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018, with the club struggling for stability and identity.

It is unclear whether the former Coventry manager will be in charge at Stoke next season, but if he is, he will be disappointed to see Thomas leave.

Thomas has been the Potters’ most used player this season, demonstrating his value to the team, and his departure would be nearly impossible to replace.

However, Robins is unlikely to stand in his way of a Premier League move, knowing that at this stage in his career, the Welshman will be eager to take the next step, especially given Stoke’s performance.

This transfer saga is still in its early stages, but it is surely worth following.