Stoke-d: Hughes adds Arnautovic, Agudelo, Ireland on deadline day

Stoke City

In:
Alex Grant - Portsmouth – Free
Marc Muniesa - Barcelona – Free
Erik Pieters - PSV Eindhoven - £3m
Juan Agudelo - New England Revolution – Free
Marko Arnautovic - Werder Bremen – Undisclosed
Stephen Ireland - Aston Villa – Loan
Oussama Assaidi - Liverpool - Loan

Out:
Dean Whitehead - Middlesbrough – Free
Rory Delap – Released
Matthew Upson - Brighton – Free
Mamady Sidibe – Released
Michael Owen -  Retired

A busy window for the Potters, with new manager Mark Hughes making some significant signings without a significant price tag. Promising Barcelona centre back marc Muniesa and PSV fullback Erik Pieters signed for Stoke rather early in the window and were joined by its conclusion by Juan Agudelo from the MLS, Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic for Werder Bremen, Aston Villa midfielder Steven Ireland and Liverpool’s Moroccan winger Oussama Assaidi on loan. These signings are a step up for the Potters who have recorded two good wins after an exciting opening day loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Hughes will be hoping that his new signings will be able to gel quickly and help to build on their hot start in order to separate themselves from the lower part of the table.

Grade: B-

Stoke’s signings have ended up being quite impressive, with Agudelo and Arnautovic leading the way, Stoke could be on their way to a solid placing this season.

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