Peter Smith [https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/authors/peter-smith/] Stoke City reporter 20:22, 28 Aug 2026Updated 20:32, 28 Aug 2026 Stoke City are believed to be closing in on a deal for San Diego FC’s exciting young left-back Luca Bombino. The 20-year-old United States youth international is expected to head to England in hope of finalising a deal, as per a report in The Athletic. [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/transfer-news-premier-league-live-updates/rmiAZlgtWYMB/dsGezuaT5tFH/?unlocked_article_code=1.71A.uITL.ZCTNn_X27J_X%5C&source=emp_shared_liveblog%5C] It is understood that Bombino’s fee could rise to $5 million (£3.7m) and, although plates are spinning heading towards transfer deadline day on Tuesday, it does not mean a departure is imminent for Eric Bocat. [https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/all-about/eric-bocat] Aaron Cresswell is currently recovering from a knee injury while loan signing Ben Johnson [https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/all-about/ben-johnson] can play on the left although he is primarily a right-back.