Viktor Johansson makes honest admission over his Stoke City future amid Premier League interest

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Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson was one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship this season, despite the Potters finishing in 18th.

The Potters ended the Championship campaign fighting for survival, but their second tier status was maintained after Stoke drew 0-0 against Derby County on the final day.

With the summer transfer window shut for a week due to the Club World Cup, rumours continue to circulate about potential moves, and have done so at the Bet 365 Stadium.

Inventive midfielder Million Manhoef has opened the door for a Stoke exit this summer, and head coach Mark Robins will be reluctant to part ways with the Dutchman.

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton predicted Stoke to get relegated, and they potentially would have if not for the goalkeeping exploits of their number one, Viktor Johansson.

Robins will also be desperate to retain his goalkeeper, who has recently made an honest admission over his future.

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Viktor Johansson makes honest admission over his Stoke City future

Swedish shot-stopper Johansson cemented himself as one of the best players in the Championship last season after his efforts in between the sticks for Stoke.

He kept 14 clean sheets from 46 league outings for the Potters, who would almost certainly have been relegated had it not been for the former Rotherham star.

Swedish outlet Sport Bladet had credited Premier League club Bournemouth and Serie A’s Como with interest in him earlier this season, and Johansson’s services will be in high demand this summer on the back of last season.

In an honest admission over his footballing future, Johansson told Swedish outlet Fotboll Skanalen: “I’m at Stoke and I haven’t heard anything else, if something comes up, I’ll have to decide on it then.

“I’m there and I’m very happy. I just do my thing. If something comes up, something will come up.

“Otherwise, I’ll keep on rubbing. Of course, I dream about it (the Premier League).

“But everything has its time. I’ll continue to do it as well as possible day in and day out.

“If that step comes up, I’ll have to decide on it then. But I’m very happy and I’m not stressed.”

Johansson has been mooted as a potential perfect replacement for Aaron Ramsdale at Southampton, if the Englishman departs the Saints as expected, and the Potters ace has proven he is capable of making the step up to the top flight.

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Stoke City star Viktor Johansson has proven he is Premier League quality

In his first season for the Potters since his move from Rotherham, Johansson solidified himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the second tier.

Potters fans owe a great deal of their Championship survival to the Swede, who made 152 saves, prevented 11 goals directly and saved a quarter of his penalties faced throughout the season.

The Swedish international, who played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday evening in a 4-3 friendly win against Algeria, is a gifted shot-stopper who is also capable with distribution and leads like a captain from the last line of defence.

Johansson’s current Stoke contract expires in the summer of 2027, and given his estimated £6.7 million transfer value, the financials are feasible for a Premier League side or promotion-hunting Championship team to swoop for the Swede’s signature.

Those two sets of teams should be looking no further for recruits between the sticks than Johansson this summer.